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The Winning Prompt

Username: Teh_Sil
Guardian: Kestrel Hartley
About the guardian: Kestrel is well used to attracting stares wherever she goes, and prefers to remain among the fae whenever is possible. Why is this so? Well, simply put, Kestrel is a deer-woman.

What does this entail? You may ask that, and I will answer. The first, most noticeable, characteristic and betrayal of heritage is the antlers that rise from Kestrel’s forehead, parting her hair on either side. They are rather wide and palmated, like those of a fallow deer. For about half the year, Kestrel must wear button up shirts, unable to pull them over her antlers; however, her antlers shed and for the rest of the year she looks relatively normal, if you forget the deer ears, long neck, and general cervid features.

At heart a kind woman, Kestrel is exceedingly dominant and social. She is often compared to a bulldozer, for her ability to mow over both people and conversations. Having an ashe might mellow her out, and help her work on her own people skills, which can be lacking, despite an extroverted nature.
Egg: One
Ashe's name: Mauritius
Prompt #: Four.
Prompt response: It was a moment I had been waiting for, waiting for what seemed like an eternity. Every day I would open her eyes as I woke gradually from slumber, clearing away sleep. The, almost immediately, I would sit up in bed and gaze with unfettered longing at the dress that stood on a rock in the corner of my room, tempting me.

The dress itself was exquisite, everything that I could ever hope for. This dress was the stuff of dreams, and seemed to have a virtual guarantee that when I entered the court, all eyes would fixate upon me. Even the Queen of all the Seelie would pale in comparison to the young Ashe who had suddenly and mysteriously entered their midst. Men would ask me to dance, while their former partners covetously watched. Oh yes. Men would want me, and women would want to BE me. My every desire would be fulfilled, and the day had finally come.

Putting on the garment itself, a wonder of delicate lace and satin (which on a lesser girl would be unforgiving), seemed to pass by in an instant, though I knew it must have been much longer to tie up the complex hooks and ties in the back. The delicate autumn brown, tinged slightly with gold, set off my hair and my eyes, and the dark green trim seemed to accentuate a figure I had worked long and hard to get. The silver flowers only further endeared the dress to me. But even the dress paled in importance as I finally reached the sight of my grand debut.

I stood alone on the platform that lead to the stairs that would descend downward. I needed no guardian for this. This was my moment, and I would not share it with any. I know I am vain, but I have often said that I am vain with good reason- I am a beautiful young ashe. Why should I not acknowledge this?

As my name was called, I shivered in anticipation. The moment had finally come. With head held high and proud, I descended without looking down, and somehow managed not to trip. When I had finally reached the bottom, I glanced about secretly to see who had noticed (surely everyone’s eyes would be on me, I thought to myself) only to see… Well, nothing. A few glanced at me, then looked away, obviously bored. What? How could this happen? Those other women were nothing compared to me. I was the epitome of what the female gender should look like, yet I was receiving none of the accolades I had expected. This was madness! I felt my temper rise, a flush accompanying it, then sought to calm myself. I would look for someone interesting, someone who could acknowledge all that I was.

Even I was surprised at the variety of fae I saw in the court around me. I lost all my anger in an instant, wonder filling me instead. First to cross my vision was a stunning young woman, who lost much of her appeal below the waist, where her legs became those of a bullfrog. She awkwardly hopped across the room, trying not to create too much of a disturbance. As I stared after her, I nearly walked into a satyr. He paid attention to me, leering at me from beneath his horns. I shuddered, though I tried to keep polite. “How do you do, kind sir?” No one can fault my manners.
“I am quite well. You are new here, I assume? If you ever want a touch of fun, please, ask for Pan.” With that, the satyr winked and sauntered away, as I could only stare with open mouth.

Feeling a bit lightheaded, I went to where I heard water tinkling, hoping to find glasses. Instead, I found undines playing in the water, small forms moving sinuously and playfully through the fall of water. It was mesmerizing to watch, and I found myself gazing for several long moments. When I could tear myself away, I moved on, still looking at everything with wide eyes. I understood now why no one bothered to look at me, save for a few men who nodded discreet approval. I was by far the least fantastic of the guests for the night, and even I could acknowledge this in all my vanity.

Attention diverted from the guests for a moment, I could admire the room as well. For being underground, it had a strange beauty. The lights were provided by either small faeries or glow worms in multicolored jars, making the light rather muted, adding soft shadows to everything. It seemed warm and friendly, instead of dark and dim. Branches descended from the ceiling, yet were not low enough for guests to hit their heads upon. The floor was made of fine veined marble, reflecting back light in dizzying glints. The dirt walls were covered with tapestries depicting Arthurian and Norse legends- trees rose up into the darkness of the ceiling, while gallant knights knelt to have their deeds acknowledged by the rightful King.

My surveying of the room was interrupted by a woman with the beak of a toucan bumping into me, nearly spilling a strong smelling drink on my dress; however, I was more concerned with her beak. If it was a mask, I could not see the strings that held it to her face. “Sorry! You should have some of this. You look so uptight.” The woman had a high-pitched voice that was far from musical. It sounded more like honking.
“I think I will pass, thank you.” At the time, I wondered how an adult woman could offer a teenager something strong to think, but apparently this was common practice, especially whilst already drunk.

After a time, I grew used to the variety of shapes and sizes that seemed to encompass the fae. They ranged from a large golem whose head nearly reached the far away ceiling to diminutive flower faery lights, all of which I was tempted to take home. With my focus returning, I began to feel the need for attention again. I should have been the most beautiful girl there. Just because I wasn’t some sort of strange hybrid didn’t mean I wasn’t interesting!

Somehow, I managed to shove myself into a conversation that was being held between a tall sidhe, his skin lined with blue whorls, and a man with the tail and head feathers of a peacock in a gaudy pink coat. “It’s my first time here, you know,” I said to them, even as they were discussing some sort of wine.

The peacock man turned to face an eye that was pure black, with no discernable pupil, upon me. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you that it’s rude to just insert yourself into a conversation?”
“Indeed,” replied his Pictish companion. “We may not be the Unseelie court, but we have a bite to our words. Please, go back and play little girl.”

Stung by the words, and the truth of them, I stumbled back. A wave of weariness, tinged with sadness, hit me. The moment I had been waiting for, waiting for so long… It was almost anticlimactic. In truth, I realized there was much of my character that needed to be worked upon, and perhaps I had overestimated myself and my appearance. This was a night for looking, and not for attracting attention. Plus, a few had nodded to me, hadn’t they? Those few were just the start of something more- I was sure of it, and determined to make it true to boot. I could accomplish this all with great deeds, and perhaps a bit of scandal. I may have ambition, but I am not Unseelie, and I will book no nonsense. There are ways to succeed in life with kindness, and I would do so.

When I lay my head on my pillow that night, my thoughts were full of the night. Though it had not been much of a success for me, I had seen and learned much. I would stay at court, and I would climb in ranks. One day, I would enter the room and all eyes would fixate upon me. Talk would circle around the room like fire, until it blazed merrily around me. Yes, one day I would have the praise I deserved, but for today, I was content just to sleep.