Starshine, Sky, and the Power of Rock

First Day

I've been told that dreams are commonly nonlinear, nonsensical, and not necessarily pleasant. Some are even scary. I can't imagine being thrust into one's day after experiencing something so stressful. Good thing that never happens to me.

Of all the perks there are to being the Heir to Light, I'd say one of my favorites is the nightly visions. Every time I fall asleep, I'm pretty sure the Crown of Light speaks to me. Well, "speak" isn't the right word, more like it conveys information. Considering I've been on the right track towards my ultimate goal of defeating the Band of Darkness for years at this point, there's rarely much I need to know other than, "Yep, the battle's still a long time from now." Exactly how long it'll take before I have to face Princess Persephone has never been made clear, but I suppose I'll find out when it's relevant.

Anyway, you can imagine how pleased the Crown is to know I'm training so enthusiastically, and with little to report it has gotten into the habit of conjuring up beautiful places for me to rest within myself before I have to start the day. I'm still endlessly excited about starting school when I wake up. And the Crown is clearly excited that I'm excited, because I'm currently laying in an endless field of roses, carnations, and hydrangeas. The mystical auras emanating from each one wash me in a soothing palette of cool blues, lavenders, and pinks. The sky is less a sky and more a deep blue ocean of infinite diamonds, stretching forever above me. I notice a star twinkle, almost wink at me, and I reach in an attempt to give some sort of reply. Ah, yes. I, too, am a star. Hence the name. And in just a few short hours, I'll begin to truly shine the way I was born to. 

"Me and my band..." I whisper to myself.

Something pricks me in the back. I sit up and turn to see what the nuisance could be, baffled because I don't remember the last time I felt pain during a vision. Amongst the flowers still glowing with life, one is shriveled and black. And thorny. Really, really thorny. I rub my back.

"Sorry, sorry," I say. "My band and me."

Another rose, this time beneath my hand, wilts and stabs me right in the palm.

"Ow! Okay, well, you know there are instances where 'and me' is appropriate! You say 'and I' when it's the subject of a sentence! Or is this because I made a sentence fragment-"

This one gets me in the butt. I stand straight up. "UGH! Okay, if it's not grammar, then what is it?" But then I remember who's in my band. "Is this about Skylar?"

I'm not met with further violence, which I take to mean "yes."

Gingerly, I sit back down, my silk nightgown billowing around me. I pick a carnation and twirl it between my fingers. "I mean... She's kind of weird. And she could use a makeover. But I don't know... I mean, I know she's a monster, but... she seems... nice." I look down. The carnation is welling up with blood.

I scream. Drop it. The blood flies out on the way down and splatters on my nice blue nightgown. "That was my third favorite!" I shout up at the sky. "She wasn't hurting anyone! What, just because I'm destined to defeat a vampire princess I suddenly have to hate every single one?" The thought escapes my mouth the exact moment it forms. I place my hands in my lap, and stare at them as I turn over the fresh idea in my mind.

The Crown seems to be having the same thought process - I guess magical crowns can have those - because the tainted roses slowly but surely begin to swell with new life, their thorns receding into smooth, harmless stems. See, Crown? I'm reasonable.

The Royal Academy of Rock's uniform is insanely cute. Granted, I may be biased in that I make everything look cute, but still. I love the way the dark purple pleated skirt twirls with my every movement. I can't fathom why anyone would prefer the pants option, but to each their own, I suppose. I smooth down the pastel cyan blouse before putting on the navy blue tie, which I have spent more time practicing the tying of than I'd care to admit. Said tie matches the double-breasted blazer I slide over all of this. My Soul Key took the liberty of customizing it to have little purple jewels for buttons, which is just so me, you know? Said key, encrusted with tiny blue and purple gems and featuring a fabulous hot pink star-shaped handle, hangs from a loop on my skirt's waistband. And now, there's a familiar tightness missing from my wrist. I retrieve my special bracelet from my jewelry box, slip it on under my sleeve, and twirl for my own reflection. Perfection. Hey, those rhyme!