and over the mountains, up!

[blackish]

Dearest Mun,

Shush, don't wake the waterfowl - they do little but chatter and grub, then chatter again once the moon has set. What a life!

Me, I would dance. So find me a tune and a princess to match - go! Be quick about it.

Odile.

Comments

[whitish]

Yet, it is by you that I have been woken.

[blackish]

Are you awake? You look quite sleepy still. A little bit undone.

[whitish]

My hair was feathers only moments ago.

[blackish]

And if I cut it off? My father would have plucked duck for dinner!

[whitish]

The ducks on the lake are only birds. They bow their heads to us, others.

[blackish]

And to me before they writhe beneath my beak. How little it helps!

[whitish]

How vicious you can be, Rothbart's daughter. Have you no mercy?

[blackish]

In the evenings less, after sunrise more. Which would you prefer?

[whitish]

At night, I live my life fully.

The other, other princess

[justaduck]

... You remind me of someone.

[blackish]

Yes. Guess who!

[justaduck]

She's a prima in our school, and I wish she'd go back to being herself.

[Her expression turns into a sad pout for a brief moment]

My mun is telling me not to be afraid of you, but is telling me to stay cautious. I can't see why.

[She smiles a little, feeling as if she is around her friend, and completely ignores her mun's warnings. Please be on your guard, little duck.]

[blackish]

[And have a smile back, just a bit on the sharp side. Nothing amiss, nothing amiss.]

Why would anyone change themselves, only to regret? Let her be happy, let her be new!

[justaduck]

Maybe. But something's telling me she doesn't want to be like this.

[blackish]

Poor creature. If she is stuck, perhaps all she needs is a push.

[justaduck]

A push?

[Nope, totally not gullible.]

[blackish]

Like the ugly duckling, waiting to be plucked! You know what happened instead?

[knightoftheswan]

[And then there's the Knight, who's not quite from this Story or that, but he would like to know:]

How is it you all know how to dance?

[blackish]

It comes with breathing! Like flying, like staying afloat.

[knightoftheswan]

You are born to it then?

[blackish]

Born. No, shaped! By my father alone.

[knightoftheswan]

[His eyes narrow and he doesn't listen when his mun says she's not who he might think she is.]

Oh. Then you are made to that purpose of hurting others.

[blackish]

[She just smiles.]

Rather, I am made to be loved.

[knightoftheswan]

Who could love a spiteful crow?

[blackish]

Not I. The crows are ever so noisy and their flesh entirely too dry.