*Maddie*
"Ana," Maddie called again but quickly saw it wouldn't work better than the first hundred times she tried. It seemed nothing could stir the girl.
"Ah," Maddie sighed as she squatted down to the floor. Ana was crouched just a short feet away from her under the vanity table. Maddie could see her back turned toward her as if to hide her face.
"Ah," Maddie let out another soft sigh. She felt frustrated. Ana wasn't responding to anything. And she didn't know what to do.
Something must have happened out there. Maddie could gather that much.
Maddie found that when the two returned, Ana was different. She seemed shaken, and her hair was a mess. It was sticking this way and that.
And it wasn't just her hair. Ana's clothes look disheveled as if there was some fight. And her eyes were glossy from crying.
She was certainly not the same girl that had left the palace. Maddie could agree. Something must have happened. And it must have been something terrible.
Because she couldn't even speak to me, Maddie felt her shoulders sag. She could see the girl sitting motionless inside the wooden enclosure.
I should have insisted on going. Maddie could only blame herself. She should have. She should have been pushier and refused. She shouldn't have accepted 'no' for an answer.
This wouldn't have happened if I'd gone with them. Maddie knew in her gut. Whatever it was, it wouldn't have gone down the same way if she were there.
Damn that boy. Maddie cursed.
That's the last time I'll let that boy push me around.
Resigned, Maddie only pushed back her bangs to feel the cold air hit her skin. The day was cold- and made colder with them both sitting on the stone floor. But Maddie wasn't about to complain. Because at least she could meet Ana's line of sight. And sure enough, Maddie had guessed right. Ana's eyes were puffy from crying.
"I take it the party wasn't much of a banger." Maddie went first to see Ana twitch at the sound. It made Maddie's stomach tighten, but she made herself smile to seem effortless.
"Am I right?" It took Ana a moment to reply.
"Yeah," Ana's voice rasped.
"You look a mess." Maddie went, stretching a hand forward. It was meant to be a tender gesture- just a way to comfort the girl. But when Ana flinched again, Maddie felt her stomach turn.
"Oh…" Even Maddie felt her resolve fall. She hesitated in the air before she felt Ana's tiny fingers.
"I know." Ana gingerly curled her hand around Maddie. Her little fingers felt so cold, and Maddie wanted to rub them warm. She helped Ana climb out from her hidey-hole.
When Ana was standing, Maddie took a better look at the girl. She was much worse than she first thought. Again, Maddie noted the mess of hair. It looked like someone tried to pull on it.
At the thought, Maddie felt her stomach turn, and she had to swallow. Again, she tried to push on a light smile as Ana watched her. She needed to appear all was still well.
"Let's get you all cleaned up," Maddie tried not to show the quiver in her voice.
*Ana*
I never noticed how many rugs were in the room. Or do they add them when it's winter? I mainly wonder as I hold my arms to help Maddie undress me.
So many rugs. I think again as Maddie moves for my top. As she pulls it off, I suddenly feel a sharp pain stab my temple.
"Ah!" I wince and protectively move to cover my head.
"Ana?" Maddie freezes on the spot as if horrified.
"What did I- Are you okay?"
"I-" I take a moment to suck in the air and close my eyes. The pain is subsiding, but I'm afraid it will happen again. My scalp is still raw. Even the slightest touch seems to be painful.
"Ana?" Maddie lingers, seeing my reaction. I'm sure she wants an explanation, but I'm tongue-tied.
I can't even speak if I want to. So I don't. I just motioned with a hand to try for the skirt instead.
To her credit, Maddie doesn't linger or ask questions. She does as I ask. Quickly, I see the blue thread unravel, and the skirt slumps down. It falls over my feet in a mass, and Maddie helps me step out.
"That feels better already, doesn't it?" Maddie goes.
"Nothing feels better than getting out of those stuffy clothes."
I open my mouth to agree but again find nothing come out. I only nod stiffly as I feel the silence grow longer. It's painful to sit through.
But again, Maddie is forever my savior. It doesn't seem to bother her in the least. She stays chipper as she gathers my clothes to return to the wardrobe.
"Well, I'll just hang these bad boys back up." Maddie chirps with a wink.
As Maddie leaves, I take a moment to shuffle to the bed. I plan to throw myself on it and forget about washing. I want to sleep. But something stops me.
It's a red blanket. It's plain. There are no embellishments or designs on it. A simple red blanket, likely something added to adjust to the colder weather.
Usually, I would never notice something so simple. But now, it seems to strike me. Upon seeing the bright red, something shifts inwardly. I feel tears suddenly swell up.
"I knew I wasn't the same, but- "I have to take a shallow breath.
I can still hear them. The sound of the party is still echoing in my ears. It doesn't seem to stop. It keeps playing on repeat. They keep laughing as I scream to stop.
"All the cruel things they said." I shudder. I want it to stop. I don't want their voices in my head anymore.
How do I make it stop?!
I don't know what gives me the idea, but I suddenly see red. I'm pulling the blanket up and over me. I press it over my ears before I turn. Ahead of me is the vanity mirror, and I can see myself.
The blanket has blocked out all the silver. Now, I have a solid color of red around my face. It's like I never had silver hair to begin with.
It makes me look like everyone else. I think before I feel my tears begin to slip.
"Would everyone love me now?"
"Ana?" Maddie looks over her shoulder to stare at me dumbly. But her eyes sharpened on the blanket.
"I thought as much." Maddie seems to mumble to herself with a dire expression.
"Thought?" I watch Maddie stop bothering with the clothes. Instead, she belines for me.
"People are funny little creatures, dear Ana. Fickle, even." Maddie shakes her head as she looks again at the blanket.
"You'd think they'd want you to look like them. But that's stupid." Maddie reaches for my cheek. I cringe at the sight but force myself to relax.
She won't hurt me. I tell myself. It's Maddie. She's not like them.
Maddie is different.
"Maddie, I didn't mean to." But it doesn't look like I need to explain as Maddie only smiles again. She goes on to touch my cheek, and I feel her thumb. It's so much warmer than I am.
"Because when you do, they change their minds again." Maddie moves to rub off a tear. She looks down at me with the most utter tenderness I've seen all day. It's the only kind of look I've gotten, and I crumble.
If only you were there. It's all too much for me.
"Oh, Maddie…"I whimper and cover my face with my hands. I shrink on the spot as tears burst out of me. My head is spinning.
"They wouldn't stop- even when I cried too."
"Sweetie," Maddie gently takes my hands. She's smiling so sadly, but her hands feel so warm. I can't help but shiver. The blanket slips down my shoulders, and I look at the mirror. My silver hair fills my sight, and I find my throat tighten.
"But things would be much easier if I had red hair." I push through the pain.
"They wouldn't hate me- or say such cruel things."
"For now, maybe," Maddie speaks, but her hands only cup my face. Her warm eyes crinkle as her thumb rubs my cheek.
"But they'll change their minds again later."
Maddie gingerly moves to pull what pins are left in the remains of the updo. But this time, she works slowly. Her hands strive to be as gentle as possible.
"They'll think it's beautiful. You watch."
"Are you lying?"
I look back at my puffy eyes. I'm still standing in just my shift. My petite body seems so thin and small. Almost as if it weighed nothing and could be carried off by the wind.
Maybe it could. I wonder if that could be for the better. Right now, I don't feel attached to anything except for Maddie.
And Nicoli. But that only makes me grow sadder. He is far from here right now—back in Dawny while I am all the way over here.
It might as well be on the moon.
Maddie works on untangling my hair. Her fingers patiently work out knots. The motion is gentle- no pulling or tearing. It's soft and slow, like Maddie is trying her hardest not to hurt me.
It works. Or it's simply because it's Maddie? Either one, I feel easier. My tears stop, and I only stand.
"How long would that be?" How long? If it ever will?
"Till they think it's pretty?"
Maddie shrugs but breaks into a mischievous smile.
"Not sure, but I can say you're already beautiful." Maddie moves to tickle my sides, and I let out a surprised laugh.
"Maddie!" I gasp before my eyes shift up. The mirror makes my smile drop.
"You shouldn't lie."
"Lie?!" Maddie huffs and throws her hands to her hips. She seems offended.
"I am not. MARK MY WORDS. You're only going to grow even prettier. Men are just going to fall over themselves to have you."
Maddie throws her hands in the air. She's trying her hardest, and I do smile. But it's weak and dies shortly.
Because I know it's for my sake, not hers, that she says so.
I am suddenly tired. My body feels heavy. But still, what a funny thing to say.
Men? What men? There wasn't going to be anyone. Besides, I won't need them.
"I only need brother Nicoli, " I reply, and Maddie laughs.
"Right, of course, your Empress. Ana wants her brother."
"What a good sister you are," Maddie kisses my forehead.
"I...I hope so." I smile again, making Maddie laugh. The sound is calming to my ears. I no longer hear their jeers- just Maddie.
Alone with her, I can finally feel myself unlock. My muscles had been tight the whole time and hurt now. I'm sore and feel myself droop.
I stretch into a long yawn before Maddie grows quiet. On cue, Maddie is up and over to the bed. She moves the covers and pillows with exact practice.
"We can bathe you in a bit. Come now." Maddie instructs and pats the bed. I know and crawl in. The red blanket is left behind as Maddie helps me in.
"Sleep. You've had a long day."
"Yes," I nod as I find her suitable. I am tired. I don't even remember what happens after I lay back. I must have been so tired that I blacked out.
*Maddie*
Seeing Ana comfortable, Maddie felt herself parts satisfied. She had done an excellent job of getting Ana to calm down. And now she was comfortable - not crouched up under the desk.
But then again, Maddie was half-satisfied. The other half still pulled on her. And she didn't like it.
But I was right. Maddie thought, having her eyes fall to the blanket. It was still piled on the floor—a puddle of red on the white marble.
Maddie moved to pick it up. Holding it in her hands, she returned to the sleeping girl. How could anyone say such meanful things about her hair?
"I may only be human, but I see beautiful things." And Ana's hair is the most beautiful, most treasured thing in the world.
It makes Ana look like an Angel. But alas, Maddie seemed to be in the minority. Most clearly thought otherwise.
And it's getting to her. Maddie thought with another look at her hands. Things wouldn't get any easier either.
Perhaps some inventiveness is overdue? Maddie thought with a more extended look at the blanket.
"I think it's time I test my sewing skills,"
Maddie took up the red blanket and left. Her feet carried her swiftly to the sewing room.
-*-
It was near morning when Maddie returned. Ana was still deeply asleep. Maddie took her chance to set down her work over the vanity quietly.
Ana's going to be so surprised. Maddie thought, looking over her masterpiece.
The red blanket had been skillfully cut and sewn into what would be a headdress. Maddie had even gone the extra mile of embroidering. Gold thread lined the bottoms of each end. Deers, trees, and unicorns were stitched amongst a magic forest.
It will look very regal on her. Maddie could already see it. It was up to Ana's standards. It was something meant for an Empress.
Ana would love it as soon as she saw it.
"Let's see those bastards say anything now," Maddie whispered confidently.