Story
Chapter 15: Hope is the Thing With Feathers
Drakara and Vocivus move on to their next target: the Rainbow Fountain. As the fallen artificer gloats over her creations, destruction, and machinations, Baelia must find the bravery to choose her own path.
Drakara
Vira, Oizys… Worthwhile prototypes, to be sure. From them, I learned much.
Drakara
I learned that misery breeds resentment… and resentment breeds ambition.
Drakara
From ambition, comes power.
Drakara
They were both miserable, yes… but compared to you, my caged bird, their misery is nothing.
Baelia
My misery…?
Drakara
Yes. I saw it in you… the potential for power beyond imagination. Just as my own patron saw in me.
Drakara
I saw you when you were in Faerieland… miserable. Anxious. A misfit. But I also saw great talent.
Drakara
Yes… I watched as your artificing skill grew. From my scrying bowl, I saw you become… close with Fyora. With the Faerie Queen.
Drakara
But there was something… missing from that picture. Can you guess what it was, Grey Faerie?
Baelia
...
Baelia
...I'm not...
Drakara
It was power.
Drakara
You lacked power. Conviction. I was in your position once, you know…
Drakara
And I was cast out. Banished for being different. It made me realise that is where true power lies.
Drakara
Poor, sweet, alone and isolated Grey Faerie… I was only trying to help.
Baelia
Taking my wings was ‘helping’ me?!
Drakara
Of course! You needed to experience true misery – not the bleached and washed-out shade of it you felt when you were a Light Faerie.
Drakara
I knew what could make you whole, because you had fallen just as far as I had.
Drakara
We’re the same, Grey Faerie. I know what’s best for you.
Drakara
And what’s best for you… is to take this. The Acrimonious Paint Brush.
Baelia
W-what?
Baelia
No! I’m not – I can’t do that!
Drakara
Why ever not, my dear? I crafted it with you in mind, after all.