Premise: Willow Delilay is niece to the High Queen of the Fae Realm and her Formal Ambassador. When sent on an errand to the Human Realm (called Upworld), she meets a human girl named Abigail, who can see her. Unnerved, Willow returns to Upworld, determined to discover Abby's secret, as very few humans can see Fae without their glamour. Upon return, Willow discovers more about Abbey than she wants to know. This secret that Abbey is keeping may just be all the Queen needs to get the war she's always wanted and rid herself of Willow, the only heir to the throne left, once and for all. Can Willow keep a secret? Is protecting Abbey worth more than the throne? Or has the information Willow gotten, more than she can handle? It may just lead to her undoing, Abbey's death and the a war so great, humans will be the greatest sacrifice of all...

Characters:
~Willow Delilay (Fae)
~Abigail Morris (Human)
~Alexander Alv (Demigod)
Orion Maelstrom (Demigod)
Queen Luciana (Fae)
Lillith (Demigod)
Full character bio's can be found here.

NOTE: If you would like to join, please send your PM messages with your prospective bio's to me or Lucky_Girl22: as this will cut down on clutter in the RP thread. Also "~" indicates a taken character and underlines indicate names we would rather not change, ditto for the races. Everything else, however, is purely up to your imagination. Thank you and I hope you enjoy this Role Play. :)

"Willow, where are you?" Greta's shrill voice cut the air like a knife. I blew out a sigh. My aunt must be looking for me yet again. She's had me running around the palace almost all morning. It wasn't even lunch yet and my feet are sore from running up and down the corridors at Greta's direction. My aunt hardly ever tells me directly what she needs. Greta typically receives my marching orders and delivers them. I rarely see the Queen unless she is angry with me.
I was currently curled up in an alcove of the East corridor behind a statue of some great Fae general. In my hand was a human book by one of their great classical authors. It certainly was riveting, an hour has passed but it seemed like I was behind that statue for but a few moments. I marked my page in the book with a piece of cloth and hid the book in a hole at the junction of the back wall and floor. My aunt hates human books, and if Greta saw one in my hand, within the hour I would be summoned to my aunt's chambers for reprimanding. I have little hiding nooks all over the palace for my contraband books.

"Willow, child, where in Goddess' name are you?" Greta shrieked. I popped out from behind the statue, dusting my backside of just seconds before Greta rounded the corner. Her unusually plump frame rushing along full steam ahead, round face a disturbing shade of plum. "Here, Greta." I said breathlessly. "Maude told me you had come by searching for me when I came back from the tailors. I've been running all over the castle trying to catch you. Apologies I did not find you sooner."
When avoiding Greta, I've learned the order of people she visits while searching for me. So when I come out of hiding to answer her calls, I always have a name to fall back on. Very rarely do I say the wrong name, but I've learned to recover myself smoothly. I may despise my aunt, but I have certainly learned quite a few things at her knee since coming to her as a toddler. My parents are Ambassadors for my Aunt in the Dark realm. Dark Fae are much like distant cousins. They are a violent, brutal sort and my parents did not want to raise me in those conditions. They decided I would be much better off under the care of my Aunt. Since she bore no children, I am her heir apparent to the throne of Armarria, the Bright Fae realm. My parents felt I was safer here and would receive the teaching I would need to be Queen some day. I would much rather travel my land, than be Queen, but duty is duty. I am of royal blood, and so I will serve my people.

"Willow your aunt has summoned you. She doesn't like to be kept waiting, you must hurry." Greta said, irritated. "Come, come. Walk fast. I don't know what she needs. She told me nothing, but said it's urgent. Come, child, keep up." Greta hates to be left out of things. If you want to know anything going on inside of the palace, Greta is sure to know.
Within minutes, we were in front of the throne room. The guards stood impassive in front of the great oak doors standing between me and my aunt. Upon our arrival, the guards nodded politely to Greta and murmured a greeting to me. "Lady Willow. Her Majesty awaits you, Highness." Without a glance at each other, the guards pulled open the doors at precisely the same time. They swung open silently and we made our way in. As we passed, I whispered a thank you to the gaurds and quickly passes them coin. The Queen pays the servants a pittance for their work, so when I am able, I strive to compensate. For this, the servants adore me. A bronze coin to them means more bread, a new coat, their shoes fixed, their landlord paid another fortnight. If a servant is fired, I am sure to slip them a purse of coin in case they are unable to find work right away.

As we walked into the throne room, the various lords, ladies and servants fell to a tiny bow or curtsy, followed by a quick mumbled greeting. The throne room always sets me on edge. Within minutes of entering, I am antsy to leave. There is too much false posturing and hem kissing for my comfort. I nodded to the courtiers and made my way up to the throne where my aunt was sprawled, eating berries with a discomforting languidness. A young boy stood by, his berry stained hands holding a bowl filled with seeds. Every time the Queen would eat a berry, she would spit a seed onto the floor, and the boy would dart out, nimbly pluck it up and deposit it into the bowl while returning to his corner.
"Majesty." I said, dropping into a small curtsy. "You need my assistance?"
My aunt flicked her wrist, and the throne room cleared, Greta, guards and the boy included. I stood there, waiting for my aunt to respond as she took her time standing up and slowly made her way to a stone bowl in the corner of the room. She cleaned her hands of berry stains, picked something invisible from underneath her long powder blue nails, dried her hands and made her way back across the room, stopping along the way to raise a lock of my hair and sniff it. She unceremoniously dropped it back onto my shoulder and walked the rest of the way to the throne. It was approaching five minutes since I had spoken and she hadn't uttered a word. She settled herself onto the throne and took a long, disgusted look at me.

"You smell of dust and stone. Have you no hygiene, girl?" She said scathingly. "Majesty, I bathed last night and it has been a long day-" I said by way of explanation. She raised her hand and shot me an icy look. "Did I give you permission to speak, girl?" I stood there, silently grinding my teeth. This was one of her favorite games, force me to speak then scold me for not having permission. Already, I was eager to leave the throne room, her games were irritating me. "I require you to go Upworld and pick up a package from someone for me." She said. "He is one of us, there to keep an eye on the humans." She said humans as if they were one of the Dark Fae. Surprisingly, we are more closely related to the humans than we are the Dark Fae. The humans are much like us, anatomically speaking, except that they are not blessed with the Goddess' gifts as the Fae are.
"He goes by the human name 'Arthur', his given name is of no importance to you." She continued. "You are to meet him at the Sunday market. He will not be difficult to find. He will know you and hand you a package. You are not to speak to him, or him to you, save to greet each other briefly. Anything else, I will know. Bring the package back to me promptly and you may have the rest of the day to yourself. Now, hurry. Market will be over soon and you still must go Upworld and glamour yourself. You may leave."

"Majesty." I said as I curtsied. I hurried out of the throne room and made my way outside, walking quickly. As I made my way to the Gate Tree, I let the glamour swell and fall over me. Three inches taller, and much more human looking, I placed my hand on the Gate Tree, and felt myself dematerialize as I moved through the veil into the human realm. It is called Upworld, but I'm actually moving sideways through dimensions. All dimensions are crowded together and some places have thinner veils than others, and only a supernatural can see them. It's like looking through a gauzy piece of fabric. Only humans given special powers by Fae Casters can see Fae without their glamour and spot dimension veils.

I opened my eyes, and I was in an alley in the human city. The morning chill was still clinging on as the sun steadily rose in the sky. Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the hustle and bustle of Sunday morning market, and into what will change the course of fate forever. But I don't know that. Yet.

But I am soon to find out I will be smack in the middle of it with very unlikely people.

I walked around Melinda's little tent scanning for anything good she would have this week when I stumbled along "The Odyssey". I loved the Greek story's they always seemed to speak to me. I handed Melinda the money for the book & headed out keeping my head low & my eyes in my book I always hated to see everyone stare at me & they seemed to do it more on Sunday at market. Could I really be that odd? Maybe I just smell bad? I leaned down & sniffed my hair, Nope I smell like soap. Do people not like soap? the thought made me giggle. "What's so funny odd Abby" asked probably the hottest guy in all of the world as he strolled up, his summer tinted brown hair shimmered in the morning light like the sun was placing kisses on his head. His bright sea green eyes always lite up when he saw me & that made me sigh, Marc never saw me for more then the little girl he used to baby sit Friday nights.

"I've asked you not to call me that Marc you'll draw all the attention I don't want to me." I said but couldn't help the smile that slipped my lips Marc was the only one in probably the whole world that didn't think I was odd but he loved the nick name none the less. "Oh I'm just messing with you now don't read to much or your brain will melt." he laughed gave me a little hug & ran off to meet his buddy's.

I opened the Odyssey back up and continued walking in which ever why I my feet felt like talking me. Well today they seemed to want to take to into the direction that would probably lead to my destiny and more attention my stomach could take because right when i looked up I stared face to face with what I new was a fairy and to me it seemed odd she wasn't glamored and more odd I new what she was & new she was real even though she wasn't supposed to be. I decided it was my best option at the time to ignore the fact I was going more crazy & just keep reading & walking. I looked down & she seemed to ignore me like every one else but I garbed her arm leaned up and said as quite as I could. "your not glamored." Opened my book and started walking on.

The Fates have a funny sense of humor I thought as i sat under my favorite willow and continued to read.Boy was that the understatement of the year.

I felt a hand on my arm and instantly stiffened. The girl touching me couldn't have been older than me, and certainly wasn't Arthur. He was currently walking in the other direction, package free. I had glamoured myself to be unremarkable, so why was she touching me? But that wasn't the biggest surprise. "You're not glamoured." Her blunt, whispered words were like a punch in the gut. All of the air left my lungs, and darkness closed in around the edges of my vision. A human had seen me. Through my glamour. A human knows I am a Fae and spoke to me. The words hit my consciousness like a heavy weight dropped from great heights. I spun around and looked for her in the crowd, but she was gone.

This was bad. Very, very bad. I had to find her and soon. The crowd was starting to thicken, as they made their way to the parking lot while the tents packed their wares. I knew one thing was for sure, she was on foot. She was heading in the opposite direction as the crowd, so she shouldn't be too far away. I changed direction and fought against the sweaty tide, wishing I had glamoured myself taller. This girl was short, just an inch under me, and trying to spot her in the crowd was proving to be difficult. I was in a bad spot. I couldn't let her get away, I needed to know why she could see me, but I couldn't find her. I knew one way I could, even though it was forbidden to be used Upworld. I could Divine her location, as it was important I find her before she was too far out of my reach. As a Wood Fae, I had elemental power at my finger tips. I could speak to the earth and find where her steps had fallen and follow them until I catch up.

I took a deep breath and began gathering wisps of power. I wanted to use as little as possible. Casting can have drastic effects on the Human realm. Several times it has almost killed them. For example, when the humans had the Ice Age, or when the world flooded. Both were results of Fae wars spilling into the human realm, exorbitant amounts of power being used by both sides in an effort to turn the tide, or keep it in their favor. Humans were very nearly entirely wiped out in the resulting collateral damage. Come to think of it, the statue I was hiding behind less than an hour earlier, was of the Fae general that orchestrated the final attack that would result in the Bright Fae winning The Last Great War, and putting my ancestors on the throne. Funny how fate has a way of working your future into your present, and you are completely unaware of it.

Just as I was gathering the last bit of power I would need, I spotted a head of short brown hair with red streaks dart in between some buildings and head for a tree. There she was. If she had gotten onto a a bus, or into a cab, she could be gone forever. I redoubled my efforts and reached her just as she stepped underneath the branches of a willow tree. The irony of the tree and my name registered somewhere deep in my head, but I was too distracted to be amused by it. I grabbed her arm and spun her around to face me.

"How can you see me when I am glamoured, human girl?" I whispered. "You are not Blessed, I would know. Tell me how you do this, for you are treading on very dangerous ground and you do not know the powerful people who will want your head for this. Speak now, while I have a mind to listen, or I will drag you to these people and leave you to their mercy. Speak."

Wide eyed & shocked I stared at the little wood fairy how do I know that too? Shaking away the thought I tried to speak but the words caught in her throat,I closed her eyes for a moment & began to speak in a quickened pace. I always did this when I new I was getting far more attention then she liked. "I don't how I just new, I have always have been able to see immortals I just don't know why. In 5th grade I found out Danny Brown was a werewolf & he almost ripped my head off trying to make me promise not to tell a soul,of course I promised but who would believe odd Abby anyway.

I leaned up and pulled her hand off my arm as gently as possible backing away slowly watching my feet back away. "I'm sorry I upset you I new I shouldn't have but at the time I thought you really were uncloaked how stupid is that right. I rolled my eyes at my self & sat under my tree. "I promise not to tell a soul if you will just let me be invisible & read. I said opening my book to chapter 3 & shading my eyes from the fairy who just stood there staring at me.

I tried to ignore her but none the less I new she was still there,I sighed put my book down & looked up I could feel my eyes began to change the dark forest green they always did when I got annoyed. "What do you want from me fairy? Money,blood, food what? What could I possibly give you that will make you leave me alone so I can be unseen in peace? I asked throwing my hands in the air & rolling my eyes. was I going to get anywhere with this one? I highly doubted it. I thought as I opened my book and began to read again trying ignore Fea that stood to close for my liking.

I stood there, staring at her, incredulous. One thing was for sure, she meant no harm. I could tell that instantly. She was simply trying to save me from a potential dangerous situation, one that could set off a chain of events that may result in a lot of human deaths. Another thing, there was something other about her. Since I had gotten a closer look at her, I could see why she called herself odd. There was something inhuman about her that fascinated me and terrified me, all at once.

"You- you are not human. There is- y-you have a-a-an element of supernatural to you that I have not seen before. This. You." I could barely get the words out. I was gesturing where my words failed me. "What are you??" She even smelled supernatural. She wasn't any type of demon, that included werewolf or vampyre. There was no darkness in her. She was not Fae either, she lacked the inherent Goddess' light that all Fae are born with. Nor was she celestial either. She was a supernatural that was very new, or very, very rare. Possibly even extinct.

And then all at once, a realization dawned on me. Not only was she supernatural, but she was also extremely dangerous. She may not realize it, but she was. And not having control of your powers by this age can be dangerous, as they grow and can injure people if not properly controlled. And whatever supernatural she turned out to be was going to be a very, very powerful one.

Her entire body and aura was thrumming with an underlying power, one that I had never felt before, and I had been near Elders who had been around since Fae were created by the Goddess. I knew power, and this was so much more. It was familiar and foreign all at once.

Instantly, I was consumed with the need to find out who this strange, human/non-human girl was. And why I felt a familiarity with her, even though I had never seen her in my life.

Before I could stop myself, the words were out. "My name is Willow Delilay, Formal Ambassador, niece and heir apparent to the Queen of my people. Please, do not be alarmed. I will not hurt you." Somehow, I knew it was the right thing to say. She hadn't run screaming for the hills yet, so I slowly sat down across from her, keeping my distance and waiting for her response. The willow branches encased us, blocking out the rest of the world, yet somehow letting in enough light so we could see with ease. I could feel the Goddess at work here. She was trying to tell me something. Fate brought me here to this girl for a reason. I wasn't leaving until I found out why.

"Um...well okay then" I said looking up at her threw my eye lashes,apparently she was more crazy or odd then I was.Thinking I was non-human or something magical yeah that would be the day, I thought rolling my eyes & setting my book aside apparently I wasn't going to read for awhile."Look Willow...wait Willow willow HA how funny is that" I said looking at the tree & the fairy over & over. "Anyway I think you got me all wrong I'm just trying to be invisible here I don't want all this unnecessary attention that you are throwing my way I'm as human as it comes but yes I'm odd because for one my parents went poof when I was 13 & my right wrist has this odd little tattoo but other then that people think I'm odd because I'm to quite I guess." I said with a sad smile.

"Now I don't think commoners & soon to be Queen's are supposed to be friends or what ever this is so before you force me to get on hands & knees & beg you to leave just please go all I want is to read in peace." I said with a little sigh & picked up my book with a smile only to toss it half away across the filed when my right arm began to burn like I had it on a read hot burner. "AHHHH what the hell!!!" I pulled up my sleeve to see that my odd little tattoo was becoming even more odd it was glowing & to my surprise an amazing shade of turquoise,but that didn't help the increasing panic I was feeling & the over whelming head ache that went along with it.

Before I new it I was falling into blackness. Abigail you are to speak for us distend by the gods them selves,you will be our voice to the human's & immortals alike since we are unable to leave the realm in which we are imprisoned. Now child Orical blessed one go out & full fill the destiny you were chosen for. I could hear the women's voices as if they were right before me but i could not see them in the darkness that took over the filed I was in. I shook my head from side to side Orical that was crazy I had to be dreaming there wasn't such a thing, was there?

I listened intently to Abby. She doesn't realize that she isn't human. She is in denial, I realized. This was getting worse by the minute.

Just as I was opening my mouth to reply, she threw her book, that I noticed was one I had read, and began holding her arm, crying out in pain. And then she crumpled over. In a flash, I was beside her as she came to. I held her arm and pulled her sleeve up. On her wrist, was a tattoo glowing an impossibly bright shade of turquoise, much like my Fae tattoo, but the symbol wasn't of any supernatural species I'd ever come across. Her arm was hot, I noticed the source was from her tattoo.

I looked Abby in the eyes, trying to see if she needed medical attention. She was shaking her head and looking perplexed. Her eyes were unfocused, but she was slowly coming back to reality. She seemed like there was no permanent damage done to her.

"Abby, what is wrong?" I asked, worried. "Your arm is unnaturally hot. It is coming from your tattoo. Are you in pain? Do you need a healer? I can take you to a human hospital, but I doubt they can hel-"

And it hit me. "You've never been sick, have you?" I asked. It seemed like the more I figured out, the more confusing she became. I was willing to bet she had a supernatural metabolism, as well as the ability for quick healing and a boosted immune system on top of it all.

"Abby, whether you want to admit it or not, you are not human, or at least not completely." I said firmly. "As a Fae, I am able to detect another supernatural. It's a sixth sense evolved over thousands of years. The fact that you are able to see through my glamour, and detect what species of supernatural I am only further confirms my suspicions." I scooted back to where I was sitting and dropped my glamour. There was no need for it anymore.

"The problem," I continued. "Is that I don't know what species you are. You are not Demon, Fae or Celestial. Those three are the only species of supernatural, but there are hundreds, possibly thousands of sub-races and cross-species that stem from those three. You do not fit into any of them. Abby, you may be a a type of supernatural thought to be extinct, or a new race that needs to be identified and the status of your powers determined. You may be potentially dangerous. If any uneducated supernatural had found you before me, he would have killed you on the spot because of the power you may possess."

I took her now cold hands and looked into her newly grey eyes. "Please, come with me. I can take you to someone who knows more about this than I. He is a scholar in my palace. If anybody would be able to determine your species, it would be Owen. His main job is keeping track of the various races and cross species of the supernatural worlds. He is our leading scientist. He might be able to help you. Please, it is for your safety."

Silently I prayed to the Goddess, asking for her to give Abby a sense of trust in me so I could help her. I kept my eyes locked on Abby's, hoping she could see how earnest I was. Not only was I fascinated by her, but if she were killed because I passed her by, knowing she was different, an innocent supernatural's blood would be on my hands. I'm learning to protect them, not neglect them. I had to help her. It was my duty.

I could hear everything Willow was saying but I couldn't force my lips to speak the word okay so all I did was slowly nod my head up & down but even that little motion made my head swim and my stomach turn inside out before I new it I was leaning over Willow puking up every ounce of food & bile that was in there which wasn't much I realised.Oracle how could that be how could I possibly be anymore then just Abigale Morris? I never did anything that made me stand out so much as to have to Gods think I was good enough to be the fates Oracle were they crazy I couldn't do this how was i supposed to handle getting visions everyday for like forever if I couldn't even handle a cute boy smiling at me with out wanting to vomit all over the place. This wasn't going to be good I sighed leaning up hugging my stomach least I had a little head ache now.

I looked at Willow & saw this the terrified look in her eyes & tried to smile showing her I was alright even though for the life of me I new I wasn't this was just to much & the only person I had to confide in was a 5"3 wood fairy who was training to become Queen of her Realm.plus side my job had to be more fun then her's was going to be, the thought made me giggle & I realised this wasn't going to be to bad being a Oracle,I hoped.

I felt my eyes slow into there gentle shade of Sienna which meant I was slowly calming down even though the whole world was tilted at a angle it seemed like to me. I pushed my self off of Willow & stood up hugging the tree to keep from falling on my face or puking again. I closed my eyes & breathed slowly. " Before we go I need to get something in my stomach because if I vomit again at least it wont burn my throat with bile," I laughed & smiled trying to show her I was going to be okay. "If your sure the Owen guy can help me out that's great because I really don't have any idea what a Oracle is or how the seeing past,present & future works." I said waving my hand for her to show me the way if this was my destiny I was going to learn everything there was to know about it & teach my self to be strong & keep moving forward as my farther used to say.

I stilled at the word Oracle. Minutes ago she did know what she was yet now she was calling herself an Oracle. Something happened when she lost consciousness, but she was keeping it to herself for now. Smart move. One of the first things I learned when I was old enough for lessons, was to never give away all of your information, it can be all you have to gain the upper hand. Even though she let slip Oracle, she wasn't telling me why she decided to call herself that title. I liked her already.

I took her arm and helped support her out from underneath the branches. The marketplace was deserted by now, so I slowly guided her to a food truck parked on a corner on the other side of the market.

"If you would like," I began. "I can steady your stomach so food will settle right when you eat. We can go into this alcove between buildings for privacy. It won't take but a moment. It's just a sip of herb infused water."

I braced as much of my weight on her as I thought she could handle and let her guide me to the food truck I didn't normally eat food from trucks but anything sounded good at the moment I was so hungry all of a sudden. "If you think it will help I'll give it a shot" I said with a shy smile I didn't feel like talking but i new she needed me too. I had a feeling she wanted to make sure I was okay.

"What dose it do? I asked as she handed me the water with the herb in it, looking down at the greenish water I felt the sudden need to drink as much as I could my mouth was a dry as if i wondered the desert for days with out food or drink. With out waiting for a reply I downed the entire cup liking my lips and looking inside for more. After a few minuets I felt intensely better & the world seemed to flatten out again. "that was great I guess there are perks to having a magical friend" I laughed put my arm around her's & pulled her along heading to the food truck. "Now lets got stuff our faces."

Before I could answer, she had downed the cup and her color improved almost instantly. I replaced my glamour, let her take my arm and lead my toward the truck.

Five minutes later, I was finishing my last bite of food when I realized the time. My aunt was waiting for me! What was supposed to be a short errand turned out much longer that anticipated.

"Oh my aunt will be so displeased with me! I'm late!" I jumped up from the bench and began gathering my things. "I must go meet my aunt, but I can come back if you want. She has given me the rest of the afternoon off once I drop off a package to her. Will you wait here? I shouldn't be too long. When I come back I will take you to Owen. Please wait here."

I took off for the alley and barreled headlong into the veil, simultaneously dropping my glamour. I ran from the tree, across the courtyard, through the main doors and skidded to a stop before the throne room doors. I took a moment to compose myself before signalling the guards to open the doors. As soon as I could fit through them, I squeezed by, jogged across the throne room, ignoring the other people present, stopped in front of my aunt, curtsied and hurriedly produced the package from the folds of my cloak.

"Majesty, I apologize for my tardiness." I said breathlessly. "I had stopped for lunch when I realized how late it had gotten. Please do not be upset."

My aunt wordlessly held her hand out for the package, and I quickly placed it in her palm. "You may leave." She said, distracted.

As fast as I could, I made my way out of the room and towards the west end of the palace. I stiff armed Owen's door and barged in. He looked up from his work table, startled at my unannounced visit.

"Lady Willow," he said smoothly. "How may I assist you?"
"Owen I need you to promise me that you will not tell a soul what I am about to tell you. Please. This is an extremely important matter." I stood there, hopping from foot to foot, waiting for his response. I knew I could trust Owen, but I had to hear it anyways. His young, intelligent face regarded me for a moment before he nodded slowly.
"I have found an Oracle. You must come quickly. She is not like any supernatural that I have seen before. I-I think she has had a vision, but I am not sure. I don't know if any of her powers have manifested yet. Please help me, Owen."
At the mention of Oracle, Owen was on his feet, rushing around his office grabbing various tools and instruments, stuffing them into his bag. By the time I was done, we were out the door and hurrying towards the Gate Tree.
"How old is she?" He began sharply firing off questions.
"My age, possibly younger."
"Condition?"
"She was fine, even denying her super natural traits, but then her arm gave her pain and she lost consciousness. When she came to, she called herself an Oracle. Her arm felt as if it was on fire and she was dizzy. I gave her some herb water to help settle her stomach. She seemed fine after that, able to eat even, which is unheard of. Visions usually ruin appetite for hours, right? I left her at a bench near the veil. She knows you are coming."
"What color was her tattoo?"
"Turquoise." At that, he ran faster and I struggled to keep up. By now, we had crossed the courtyard and the tree was in sight. As we neared, we each grasped a branch and let ourselves be cloaked an glamour and be swept Upworld.

My last though before I left Armarria was a simply plea to the Goddess.

Please give us the strength to help Abby.

I opened my eyes and we were in the alley. We took off, rounding the corner at top speed and made our way to the bench where she still sat, reading her book. She looked as human has possible, but underneath the surface, her powers, whatever they would be, were on the verge of bursting forth. She needed to be near other Oracles so they could contain her powers until she could control them.

I wasn't sure how much time we had left, but it wasn't very much. Days at the least, weeks at the most. Or I could be completely wrong and she could be hours away from erupting with some of the greatest raw power an Oracle has ever had.

I looked up as Willow approached the smile on my face fading fast as I saw the raw scared look in her eyes & I new it had to be because of me odd Abby strikes again I sighed at the thought,she wouldn't of come back if she was scared of me right? "Hi Willow I waited like you asked but I really..oh who's your friend?" I said pulling my sweater tighter and trying to hide behind my short hair. "I thought you would come back alone,but look I really gotta get back home & make dinner I starving & I still need to take something for my head ache." I said pressing my fingers to my temples & closing my eyes. I got up grabbed my book & started toward my house,but I stopped,sighed & turned around . "Look I really like how your trying to help & such but this is my problem not yours and I think I should handle it on my own thank you willow but i can't let you get in trouble because of me now go home." Without another word i turned on my heal and walked away keeping my head down

As i walked down the street the wind chilled my hands and face i pulled my sweater as tight as i could around me feeling my head ache become stronger & the world start to tilt again oh no please no I thought as the lights went out and I fell to the ground.Willow what's wrong I yelled Willow I tried again but nothing it was as if she was def, I saw the blinding terror in her eyes as she looked passed me down the other end of the hall. i turned back & saw something monsters huge with long claws and knife sharp teeth. WILLOW! I screamed & tried to reach for her but nothing seemed to work as the monster gained on her all I could do was star at her in fear & panic. before I new it the monster had slashed her throat & she was laying on the hall floor covered in blood her eyes empty of all life.

WILLOW! I screamed then leaning over to vomit my lunch all over the side walk, feeling the world tilt and the blood drip from my nose. Oh lovely now that's what i need to add the this disaster of a day a nose bleed I shook away the thought then shivered at the images of willow being killed flashed threw my head. was that a vision? yes yes my dear your 1st in many to come I thought then herd the voice's of the women answer my question true. I pulled my knees to my chest as I began to cry. Oh Willow no.

I stood there in shock. She didn't understand the danger she was in. Walking the streets alone, where a Dark Fae could discover her could mean her death.

I turned to Owen, who was just as wide eyed as I was. "Owen, I'm sorry to have wasted your time-"

"WILLOW!" Abby's frightened scream cut through me like glass. Owen and I took off running for her. Visions of Dark Fae attacking her consumed me, tears blurring my vision. We rounded the corner, and I fell to my knees beside her. Abby looked up at me, pale face streaked with tears, her eyes wide with terror. I threw my arms around her, a sob of relief escaping my lips.

"Abby, are you hurt?" I asked frantically. I looked her over, making sure she wasn't injured. I took her face in my hands, searching for any signs of internal pain. I saw nothing. Only fear.

A sense of dread settled in the pit of my stomach, cold, hard and bitter. "Abby, what did you see? What was in your vision?"

I didn't answer her questions I just sat there & starred at my new little friend instant relief flowed threw me. I threw my arms around her & hugged her as tight as i could with out wanting vomit all over her. I shook my head slowly not wanting to tell her, not wanting to bring back the nightmare I just witnessed.[/I]You have to[/I] my inner voice saidThe future is set young seer you can't change it. the Women who I know realize are the fates said kindly to me.

"NO I WILL CHANGE IT!" I screamed out seeing the scared look in Willow eyes. "Willow you can't go down any halls with pictures of Queens down the whole hall not ever you have to promise me...promise me you wont." I pleaded with, her begging her anything to keep that fate from happening to her.

please I begged the fates, please don't take the closest thing I have had to a friend in so many years. my return answer was the screaming cry's of the fates. It was all I could do not to scream out load. Maybe I could do something maybe.

It was a vision about me, a vision where I am hurt or killed. She didn't have to say it, I could tell. I held her while she sobbed and screamed at the Fates.

"I promise." I murmured into her hair. "I promise I won't." I wracked my brains. There was nowhere in the palace that had halls of queens hanging in them, so this was in a different place. But where?

I helped Abby to her feet. She wasn't safe Upworld, I had to take her to the palace and sneak her past the guards. "Abby, I am going to take you to my home. It isn't safe for you here. If you want to bring anything from your home with you, we can go there now. You will be safe with me, you don't need to be worried. Please don't fight me on this. At night... bad things come out. Things that would kill you because of who you are. At my palace, they can't hurt you there. Please."

Owen stood there, completely silent. He was in the presence of the first Oracle in a millenia, and she'd had a very frightening vision. He didn't know what to say.

"Abby," I said, turning to Owen. "This is Owen, the scientist I was telling you about. He is going to examine you. What you are, is extremely rare. We haven't had an Oracle in over a thousand years. He has studied countless materials on Oracles. He can tell us how matured your powers are. You can trust him, he is our leading scientist. Will you let him examine you?"

"sure sure" I said then really hearing Willow all I new was this guy was going to test on me like some strange new animal they didn't know anything about,at the thought my stomach turned and I leaned over puking the last of what ever was in my stomach. "clothes I need clothes and a few other things then we can go" I said pointing Willow in the direction to my house.

[IA thousand years that's amazing, but i still can comprehend why they picked me][/I] I thought as I showed Willow where my clothes were along with a letter & picture of parents. I wrapped a blanked around me & let her guide me out of my little house & down the street to the portal.A portal to a whole different realm of living beings it's actually kinda cool I let my self smile at the thought as i stepped in to the portal.

The whole time we were walking to her house and to the veil, I kept talking to her. Reassuring her that it would be okay. I don't know if she heard what I was saying, but I was hoping my voice was comforting nonetheless.

We opened our eyes, and started walking towards the palace. Owen walked ahead to distract the guards while I snuck Abby past, and towards my chambers. I got Abby settled with some tea, and there was a soft knock at the door. I opened it, and Owen walked in.

"I only have a few moments." He said, unpacking his tools and instruments. "I have astrological calculations that need to be done tonight, so I must go back to my office and prepare."

Kneeling in front of Abby, he shone a small light into her eyes, opened her mouth, took a sample of her hair. He methodically worked his way examining her, before stepping away, seemingly satisfied. I looked at him expectantly.

"She is right on track for her age." Owen said animatedly. "Her eye color changes smoothly, no hitched dilation or clouding. She has no oral sores, which means she's clear of any internal illness. Her anatomy is phenomenally sound and developed. Her DNA will give me better information, but I am willing to assume her powers are only just manifesting, today being her first real vision. Gut instinct tells me her powers aren't going to surface simultaneously, but slowly, in hitches and starts until the very end. I think it's an evolutionary development, or designed by the Goddesses, because she does not have any other Oracles to guide her. Abby is maturing wonderfully, and I believe she is going to have a relatively easy transition into full supernatural, with maybe a few bumps along the way. Make sure you have plenty of that herbal tea handy. If her visions increase, that can end up being the only thing that gives her nourishment. If she doesn't mind, I would like to make regular examinations. I want to make sure she stays healthy, as a sick Oracle is very hard to heal."

I whispered a thank you to Owen and bid him a goodnight. I padded over to where Abby still sat.

"I know you're feeling shell shocked, Abby." I said apologetically. "This is quite a lot to take in. Whatever you're feeling is completely normal. If you want to talk about it, you can. I can call Gwyn and have her deliver dinner for us and we can watch a movie if you feel like zoning out for a while. Don't be surprised, I may be a magical species, but I enjoy Zac Efron, Tom Hardy and the like just as much as any human girl. Armarria isn't behind on the times. We have our own modern, operating movie theater, game systems and so on. Many humans even live here, and many Fae live Upworld, so we are very much up to date. I even have my own cellphone and laptop. As Ambassador, I need to be able to keep tabs on your world when my contacts are unavailable. I think you will find yourself very comfortable here, and you can stay as long as you like. Fae are a hospitable people, you will not be treated differently." I gave Abby a reassuring smile as I kicked my shoes off and sat next to her.

"I know I may be a stranger to you," I whispered. "But I feel as if I know you somehow. So I feel a sense of protection over you. If something were to happen-" A lump rose in my throat. I took a deep breath and started again. "If something were to happen to you, I would be beside myself with grief. I would feel responsible. You must understand that my protecting you and giving you safe haven is not to fulfill some hidden agenda. In a matter of hours, I have come to care for you. There's a-a-a bond of sorts forming here, one that I don't fully understand. My Goddess wanted me to meet you today. There is something bigger than both of us at work here. Something that requires me keeping you safe, for us to work together. Please understand that."

I smiled at Willow she really did care & yes this whole situation was a little hard for for me to comprehend & handle but something deep inside me new I would be okay with Willow by my side. At the thought I almost broke into tears remembering the horrible vision I saw just hours earlier. "Can we order pizza & watch old 80's movies I always love the guys in those movies there so romantic in there own way" I smiled trying the brush away gory images of her death swimming threw my mind.

Gwyn dropped the pizza by Willow's room we grabbed a couple of slices and settled in on her bed to watch the Breakfast Club. " I love this movie I used to watch it with my mom on weekends before...anyway why do you live with your aunt & shouldn't it be your mother on the throne and not her? I ask with clear curiosity hoping I didn't over step the line she was the 1st real friend I had in years and I didn't want to ruin it by asking to many questions.

I paused the movie and faced Abby, smiling.
"My aunt was the older sister," I said by way of explanation. "My mother was never interested in the throne anyways, all the better for Aunt Luciana, she hates competition. When my mother was of marriageable age, my grandparents set about finding her a suitable husband. Just days before the suitors were set to come to court, a young, dashing Ambassador came riding into the palace, delivering news to my grandfather, the King. Mother was smitten, and so was he. Grandfather loved Gregor like a son and immediately gave his blessing. Less than a week later they were happily married and within a fortnight of that, my mother was with child. While pregnant, father was called away on urgent ambassadorial business. For most of her pregnancy, mother was alone, as my grandparents fell ill and eventually passed away and Aunt Luciana was newly crowned." I took a drink of wine before continuing.
"A week before I was born, father came back from Dra'Khul, the Dark Fae realm. He was able to stay with us for the first month after I was born, but was called away again. For the first year of my life, that was the way things were. Father would come back a short while, then leave for months at a time. Mother devoted herself to my care. Usually a nurse or nanny cares for the royal children, but mother was insistent that she be the one to care for me. And then, suddenly, father was back. Things in Dra'Khul were at an uneasy calm, and we had father for a whole year before things fell apart again. This time, mother and I went with him. After one day, mother was violently assaulted and I was nearly kidnapped. Thankfully, mother never quit training after I was born and was able to fend the would be kidnappers off. Father was beside himself, and that was when they decided to send me back to Armarria. Luciana had not married or borne any children yet, so she agreed to let me stay and hired royal tutors to give me my lessons. I see my parents every year on my birthday, and sometimes on holidays. For my sixteenth birthday, I asked to visit them for a month. Luckliy, they allowed me. There wasn't much to do there, but I ate eleven consecutive meals with my parents that week. It was the best birthday gift I could ask for." I replayed the memories in my head.
"On my third night there, during dinner, "I said laughing. "Outside of our little home, a few soldiers were drunk and were singing terrible versions of humans songs, vulgar ones. Father leapt up from the table, and I though he was going to yell at the soldiers. Instead, he grabbed my mother up from the table and danced around the home with her, singing his own naughty songs. Mother was breathless from laughter. In a fit of insanity, I stood up on the table and sang funny songs into the soup ladle, flinging pea soup all over the walls and windows. I sang so loud, the soldiers below us hooted with laughter and egged me on. For days after that, we would catch one another humming something from that night and we would fall into fits of giggles." My smile faded into something more serious. "Seeing my father and mother like that showed me what true love is. One of my greatest wishes is to have a love like that. So far, no handsome Ambassadors have grandly ridden into the palace, but I do keep tabs on the cute ones that I've met." I gave Abby a devlish smile.

I smiled as Willow told me about her parents and a little about her life I liked that she trusted me so much to tell me all these things & i decided it was about time to open up I never liked to but I figured I could trust her but not only that I new she was my friend and I wanted to open up to her even if it was just a little.

I turned to her & smiled brightly, "When I was young my mother & I weren't that close because she was always working over night at the hospital or sleeping because she was so tired. So my dad & I grew really close. After school everyday i would hang out at his office in till he was ready to go home but on nights he had to work late we would kick off our shoes & sit on the floor him working & me reading we would always order chinese take out our favorite."I smiled at the memory as if I could smell the fried rice and chicken," he loved to make him self a walrus with the chop sticks & would always play a vamp trying to suck his blood it was some of the best times of my childhood & sometimes I miss it some much." I said with a sad but fond smile recalling so many of the memories.

I blushed at a sudden thought then started to laugh,"I haven't even kissed a boy I'm 18 years old & haven't even found my dream guy and had one of those foot popping kisses that's in all the movies.How sad is that." I laughed the warm blush spreading across my face.

"I'm nineteen and never been kissed. Well, not romantically. Not by a boy I liked. There was a younger boy I used to play with all the time and he kissed my cheek once, but we were playing house that time."

I poured myself another glass of wine and took a bite of pizza. "I can only imagine what my parents would think if they knew their daughter was watching an old 80's movie, drinking wine and eating pizza with an Oracle. They would probably have a heart attack!" I doubled over laughing, imagining the looks on their faces. I stood up and ambled over to a coat rack by the door.

"Mother, father," I said grandly. "I would like you to meet Abigail, my friend. I forgot to mention that she's an Oracle. Oh don't be so shocked! I let her pick the first piece of pizza." Unable to contain my laughter, I fell to the floor, tears streaming down my face. "O-oh my." I slurred. "I believe I have drank too much wine." Giggling, I rolled around on the floor. It felt good to let loose like this. It felt good to finally have a friend.

" okay enough wine for the fairy princess" I laughed as I watched my new little friend talk to her coat rack, I got up garbed her brush & started to sing the breakfast club theme into it " Don't you forget about me oh oh oh oh don't you forget about me" I sang as i twirled around trying to remember all the old lines.

I jumped down grabbed willow's hand and started dancing or at least I think that's what you call it her drunk & me with two left feet. Boy I never new having a friend could be so cool, I smiled at the thought and continued dancing

I let Abby twirl me around the room while we drunkenly sang the theme song to the movie. I laughed until I was breathless. It had been years since I'd laughed this hard. It fell so good to be happy.

Exhausted, I collapsed onto the couch, still giggling. "My insides are rupturing from all of this laughing!" I slumped over and watched as Abby tirelessly danced and sing around the room, her laughter infectious. Her eyes gleamed, utterly different from the wary, untrusting eyes that so curiously stared at me earlier. It was doing Abby the same good as it was me to forget about the past tonight.

The room started to spin as the rest of the wine settled in my stomach. Slowly, I shuffled to the cupboard, grabbed a tin of simple root tea, pinched a few leaves and dropped them into a mug. I filled the mug up with water and let the tea steep for a moment before gagging down the whole thing, soggy leaves included. Little by little, the haze of intoxication lifted as I curled back up on my overstuffed armchair.

Abby was still dancing away. I was amazed at her stamina. When I drank, I was sluggish and dull, which was why I only drank on occasion and only a few sips. My eyes started closing of their own accord, and Abby's trilling voice lulled me into a deep, warm sleep.

Seconds before I was unconscious, a quiet voice in the back of my mind remonstrated, "Careful, little Fae girl. Don't become too accustomed to nights like these. There is always a calm before the storm, and it has been quiet for far too long." I nudged the warning words away. Tomorrow, I would deal with them. And then I was drifting off to the land of dreams.

I danced & danced till I collapsed on the floor dizzy and laughing till I was breathless. I felt so alive tonight I was so happy just to forget all that happened today and focused on the now focus on my new growing friendship with this little fairy.It was nice to have someone to count on now that I have such a big job to do. I was glad to have Willow asleep though there was so much to think over for one my almost best friend was a fairy I didn't even new were real,& for two I was the 1st Oracle in like a thousand years could I really do this could I really be the voice for the Fates? You are strong little Oracle & wise beyond your years even if you do not realize this yet. Seeing is believing young one & you have much to see.

I could see the fates clear as day threw my minds eye. Their blind but all seeing eyes,their almost toothless grins smiling as me as they huddled together under a Willow tree.Which wasn't wired at all I thought sarcastically. Grabbing a blanket I draped it over Willow who was curled into a ball on the chair like a happy cat, I smiled down at her fondly before curling up on the bed slipping into sleep.My thoughts swirling like a whirl pool.Can I do this Oracle thing, why were the fates under Willow tree, and since I'm in fea land will my 1st kiss be with a fairy boy, that would be interesting. That thought made me laugh and I slowly slipped into my dream world.