In the grand halls of Ayzat's manor, Aqasha and Mei had just completed the final rehearsal of the play they were to perform that very evening at the Festival of Sorority. Their hearts still beat with the rhythm of the performance, but there was no time to rest.
Ayzat himself, ever the radiant Second Paladin, approached them with a faint smile dancing on his lips. "It's time to turn you into our esteemed queens," he said, his tone as smooth as the evening breeze, gesturing for them to follow. He led them through the winding corridors of the manor, each step echoing softly against the polished stone, toward the chamber where their transformation awaited—where hair and makeup would cloak them in the likeness of ancient royalty.
For Mei, the task would be simple enough; her natural grace and beauty needed only subtle changes to resemble Queen Luxoah. But Aqasha, with her fiery spirit and stark features, would require a more intricate transformation to step into the role of Queen Ardenu. The weight of that realization hung over her as they walked. Their faces tightened, muscles coiling beneath the skin as the pressure rose like a storm ready to break.
Mei, never at ease, stayed close to Ayzat, her light familiar flitting just above him, casting soft glows in the dimly lit corridors. Aqasha, however, trailed behind, her eyes distant. She hid her feelings well, but there was a flicker of resentment. She wished her adoptive father, High-Priest Aren, had remained by her side instead of Ayzat. The Second Paladin's presence, though respected, was a poor substitute for the comfort Aren's mere existence brought her. Still, Aqasha showed no sign of this inner struggle beyond a tightening of her jaw, her eyes cold but unwavering as she followed him.
When they entered the dressing room, the air was thick with anticipation. The two young alicorns moved to their respective corners of the room. Laid upon the black jade divans were their costumes—lavishly prepared and displayed with each delicate piece arranged as though awaiting royalty. The garments shimmered in the faint light, reflections of the queens they would soon become. But before they could adorn themselves with the finery of rulers, their appearances needed crafting.
Mei began first, her movements graceful and measured as she fastened white extensions into her already pale mane, carefully weaving them until her hair matched the ethereal locks of Queen Luxoah, long and radiant.
Across the room, Aqasha toiled with her own mane, a more complicated affair. Red tendrils of her hair were intertwined with fiery extensions, each infused with the essence of flame spirits. They flickered as if alive, white wisps and tongues of orange fire dancing with every movement, transforming her into a near-perfect image of Queen Ardenu's fierce, untamed power.
The heat of the magic within them seemed to radiate, filling the room with an almost palpable warmth. Meanwhile, Mei's hair shimmered, infused with Light magic, as if it could catch the gleam of the sun itself.
Ayzat, having seen them safely into the room, slipped away in silence, his duty pulling him elsewhere to make preparations. He would see to it that the members of the Second Division brought refreshments—Luxian candies made with flowers and small Ardenian roasted spirit crystals adorned the plates, a momentary respite before they donned the heavy mantles of queens.
Left to themselves in the echoing chamber, Aqasha and Mei worked in silence. The high ceilings amplified every rustle of fabric, every subtle flicker of magic as they crafted their new selves. Each was lost in her own thoughts, focused on the task at hoof, the gravity of the night ahead settling over them like the weight of crowns yet to be worn.
Aqasha remained as composed as ever, her expression unreadable as she worked in silence to transform herself into the image of Ardenu. Her movements were methodical, practiced, as she finished weaving the fiery extensions into her mane, the tendrils now crackling with the illusion of flame.
She wasted no time moving on to the first layer of her robes. These were simple, unadorned garments, meant to be hidden beneath the more elaborate outer layers, yet essential nonetheless. They clung to her form, and she adjusted them with precision, for they would guide where the paint needed to be applied to her fur.
Her golden coat, radiant as it was, could not match the striking orange of Queen Ardenu. The task of painting such a large portion of her body was a tedious one, requiring both patience and skill. She had grown accustomed to it, thanks to her time spent training with the Ardenian theater. With their guidance, she had learned to paint her fur with a careful hoof, though the task was still far from easy. Tonight, they would come to help with the finer details—the delicate makeup and the illusionary effects that would bring the queens to life—but the foundation, the bulk of the work, rested on the shoulders of the young alicorns themselves.
On the other side of the room, the tension was far more palpable. Mei, her Luxian counterpart, was not as composed as Aqasha. Her hooves trembled, and the magic that danced around her was less steady than usual, betraying the anxiety that gnawed at her. The weight of the evening pressed heavily on Mei's shoulders—she knew her mother would be among the audience, as would the Queen of Light herself. Failure was not an option in her mind, and that fear of falling short only made her nerves worse. Every stitch, every movement of her magic, was laced with strain as she adjusted the black base layers of her costume.
As she worked, her eyes flickered toward the grand chandelier overhead, where her light coatl, Yui, fluttered and twisted through the hanging crystals. The creature seemed to find endless amusement in the shimmering light, casting playful reflections onto the room's deep red walls.
Mei watched it in the mirror before her and couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle despite her nerves. "Yui," she called with a smile tugging at her lips, "be careful up there. Don't break anything, you still need to prepare, too." Her voice, though light-hearted, carried the underlying tension that lingered just beneath the surface.
Though Yui, Mei's light familiar, wouldn't play a central role in the performance, it would still serve as the embodiment of Queen Luxoah's own spirit companion, a subtle but vital detail. The little creature, sensing the excitement in the air, let out a soft chirp before fluttering gracefully from the chandelier to Mei's side.
It was often said that Luxian light familiars mirrored the emotions of their masters, and Yui was no exception. Beneath Mei's frazzled exterior, there was a spark of excitement, and Yui displayed it with unrestrained joy, its wings catching the light as it landed by her.
Aqasha, ever focused and undisturbed by such frivolities, spared only a brief glance toward the Luxian and her playful companion. The interaction between alicorn and familiar was always a curious sight to behold, but Aqasha's mind was elsewhere, too occupied with the final touches of her transformation into Ardenu to give it more than passing attention.
Time flowed steadily as the young alicorns worked through their tasks, each layer of costume and paint drawing them closer to their regal roles. When most of the foundational work had been completed, Ayzat returned to the chamber. His presence brought a brief respite, a reminder that they were not alone in this endeavor. With his magic, he levitated a tray laden with snacks and drinks—gifts meant to sustain them through the final stages of preparation. Notably, there was tea for Mei, an offering of comfort.
"Ah, ladies," Ayzat greeted them, his voice warm but measured. "You're both becoming more like the queens with each passing minute." His gaze lingered on Mei, and a soft smile crossed his face as he set the tea before her. "Mei, I've brewed some of the tea you're fond of—stronger this time, to help with the nerves before the performance."
Mei looked up, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink at his kindness. The attention caught her off guard, and she quickly averted her gaze, her voice just above a whisper. "Th-thank you, Ayzat," she stammered, her words faltering under the weight of her embarrassment.
Yui, ever in tune with her mistress, gave an inquisitive tilt of its head before fluttering over to Ayzat. The familiar circled around his neck, its small form brushing against him affectionately, like a beloved pet seeking a moment of affection. With a soft chirp, it nuzzled him, drawing a deeper blush from Mei, who could barely conceal her mortification.
Quick to distract herself, Mei accepted the tea, levitated the cup with her magic, and took a tentative sip. The flavor hit her immediately, stronger than she anticipated, with a subtle but lingering spiciness. The heat from the brew spread through her body, bringing a sudden warmth to her cheeks and a thin sheen of sweat to her white coat.
The sensation was odd, almost too intense, and for a moment, she found herself wondering whether Ayzat had brewed it just a little too strong this time. Yet, despite the odd feeling, she couldn't help but appreciate the warmth it brought, a small comfort in the midst of her anxious preparations.
Ayzat noticed the subtle shift in Mei's demeanor, the way her eyes seemed brighter and her posture more relaxed. "I apologize," he began, his voice soft with concern. "I may have overdone the dose…"
Before he could finish, Mei looked up, her voice stronger, more assured. "No, no, I feel a lot better already…thank you, Ayzat. I'll do my best for the play!" Her energy surged back, her words carrying a newfound resolve as her gaze met his.
Yui, ever attuned to her mistress's mood, tilted its head curiously before gracefully gliding back to Mei. It curled around her neck, its light reflecting off the polished mirror behind them, casting a soft glow that danced across the room. Ayzat, surprised but pleased by her response, smiled warmly, his eyes gentle as they lingered on her.
Mei's breath hitched. Bathed in the room's warm glow, Ayzat looked impossibly handsome—more so than her imagination had dared. Heat rushed to her cheeks. She lowered her gaze and returned to her preparations, channeling every shred of focus into Queen Luxoah's regal persona, as if sheer will could mask her fluster.
Ayzat's smile lingered, but his attention shifted. With a quick glance at Mei, he moved toward Aqasha, the weight in his step subtle but deliberate.
"Nervous about the big performance?" he asked, voice soft yet edged with something firmer—not unkind, but unmistakably pointed.
Absorbed in perfecting the intricate layers of her costume, Aqasha hadn't noticed him approach. His voice caught her off-guard. She flinched, turning with a scowl, irritation flickering across her features before she smoothed them into guarded indifference.
"I'm fine," she muttered, not looking directly at him but keeping him firmly in her periphery.
Ayzat didn't flinch. He remained where he stood, steady and unreadable.
"Have you thought about my proposition?" he asked, low-voiced but clear enough to carry. Even from across the room, Mei caught the edges of it, her hooves pausing mid-adjustment.
Aqasha's eyes snapped to him, stiffening—about to speak—when Ayzat continued.
"I'll wait for your answer," he said calmly, his gaze steady. "After the play, you'll have more to reflect on, more to base your decision." His words hung in the air, and though his tone was polite, there was a finality to them, as if he knew the question would linger in her mind long after the evening's performance was done.
As soon as Ayzat spoke his final words, he turned on his heels, his eyes lingering on Mei for a brief moment with a warm smile before his hooves echoed across the marble floor. The sound of his retreat filled the room as he left once again, his voice trailing behind him. "I'll let you know when it's time to head to the venue…I can't wait to see this performance," he said as he exited.
Mei, her heart still fluttering slightly, turned her head to watch him go, a small smile playing at her lips. But when she glanced back toward the mirror, she caught sight of Aqasha's reflection. The Ardenian was as indifferent as ever, her expression unreadable, her gaze hardly acknowledging Ayzat's departure.
A flash of anger flared within Mei, a sudden heat rising in her chest. How could Aqasha be so cold? Ayzat was the Second Paladin, after all, constantly going out of his way to help them, to support them—and yet Aqasha treated him with such distance, as though he were nothing more than a passing shadow.
The intensity of her emotions surprised her, the way they burned hotter than she had ever felt before. Her ears pinned back, her body tensed with a frustration she struggled to understand. Yui, perched around her neck, let out a soft, confused chirp, tilting its head as it nuzzled her cheek, sensing the disarray in her emotions. The little familiar's bewilderment mirrored Mei's own confusion at the surge of anger bubbling inside her.
Across the room, Aqasha turned her back to Mei, moving toward the black jade divan to retrieve the next piece of her costume, seemingly oblivious to the Luxian's silent turmoil. Mei clenched her jaw, forcing herself to calm down. There was no time for this—not now, not when they were so close to the performance.
With a deep breath, she too turned her back to Aqasha, focusing on the delicate outer robes of Luxoah's costume. She carefully lifted them, her magic weaving through the air as she pulled the shimmering fabrics over her form, each movement precise and deliberate.
As the two young alicorns continued their preparations, the door opened once more, and several Ardenian and Luxian alicorns from the grand theater entered the room. These seasoned performers were here to ensure every last detail was perfect, their skilled hooves adjusting the final pieces of the costumes with expert precision. They worked silently but efficiently, securing every accessory, every gem and emblem, until both Aqasha and Mei were transformed entirely into the queens they would portray.
With the final touches complete, they added the most iconic pieces: Ardenu's artifact and Luxoah's halo, each shimmering with magical energy, symbols of the ancient power the two queens commanded. As they prepared to leave, Mei used her magic to lift the sacred Katana, Luxoah's legendary artifact, its blade gleaming as it hovered beside her.
Now fully adorned, they stepped out, their heads held high. They had become their queens in every way, ready to take the stage, to bring the legends of Ardenu and Luxoah to life under the Festival's watchful eyes.