Fallen Chapter One

A young woman tries on a dress and feels beautiful for the first time in her life. But will her beauty be accepted by everyone else?

image by

Melyn-L-Kit

The white dress seemed to taunt me. Soft, yet shimmering, with lace along the bottom. Simple, yet stunning. I ran my fingers over the silver embroidery and a smile broke out across my face. Today I would finally put it on.

I reached up and released my robe. I kept my vision on the dress and ignored my body. As soon as the robe had fallen, I snatched up the dress and tugged it on like my life depended on it. I sighed as fabric protected me from myself. I looked down and took in the glazed fabric against my light brown skin. My toes were still bare. They always seemed too large and awkward.

Focus on the dress.

I turned towards the mirror in my large bedchamber. Gilded molding lined the pristine white room. Silver laced rugs kept the chill at bay. A throw hung over the mirror like a safety blanket. I stepped up to it and inhaled deeply.

My shaky exhale matched my twitching fingers as I took hold of the blanket. I took in my too long fingertips and cringed. Even in a dress, I would still be…

No.

I threw down the blanket with a pant. My mouth parted in awe as I took myself in. Golden eyes, long white hair with a slight curl to it, tan skin, folded up silver-white wings, and a beautiful white dress. Lace tickled my neck, and the flowing dress covered up my body and replaced it with something almost acceptable.

Maybe the dress overpowered me, but for a moment I felt beautiful.

A smile broke out across my lips. Even though I couldn’t stand the lump on my neck or the angle of my face, the dress seemed right. It suited me. I exhaled and giggled to myself.

I blushed and clutched my hand to my chest.

“Anwei,” Soran said, meaning sister.

My heart skipped a beat, and I grinned like a fool.

“Ansun,” I responded, meaning brother.

“You look beautiful,” he said.

Soran had white curls that tickled his ears, golden eyes and tan skin that matched mine. His wings had flecks of gold where mine had silver. Actually, we looked nearly identical, even though we were fraternal twins.

“Do you really think so?” I mumbled. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror and cringed. The dress hung on me awkwardly, it wasn’t meant for someone like me. It was-

“Of course, and you better believe it.”

I looked away from my reflection. “I’ll try.”

“What’s wrong?” He ruffled my hair. He stood a couple feathers taller than me, which always felt comforting.

“Nothing,” I said. “It’s just…”

“It’s an adjustment, Anwei,” Soran said. “That is all.”

I looked into him, like a reflection of myself, but all wrong. Guilt coursed through my veins as I had to look away from him. He just reminded me too much of myself.

“You didn’t even knock,” I murmured.

“Eh,” he said. “Who cares?”

“You can’t just walk in on your sis- your sister.”

He frowned and then smiled. “That’s true.” He wrapped me up in a hug and I accepted it. “What are you dressing up for?”

“Nothing,” I said into his shoulder. “Why did you come to see me?”

“Are you coming to the duel today?”

“Oh,” I said. I pulled away and clutched my fingers to my dress.

“Is that a no?”

“I just forgot.”

“So then you have plans?” he raised an eyebrow.

“I’ll come,” I said, but my heart pounded.

“You don’t have to.”

“It’s just…”

“Dona.”

“Yeah.”

“Hsssss,” Soran hissed, and my skin crawled.

“I won’t let him stop me,” I said.

“Just.” His eyes grazed my dress and then fell to the ground. “Be careful.”

It was all he said, so how did I know exactly what he wanted? For me to forsake my happiness for safety. I knew he wanted to say “I love you and be safe,” but in reality he meant “hide.”

Anger flared, and I stalked away from him to look out of the window. Clouds spattered the infinite sky. The High Castle hung off of Arna and my room looked out towards the east where no other islands hovered in the heavens. I could hear Alia, the great waterfall, rushing off to the left, the noise a lullaby that had always coaxed me to sleep.

“Anwei…”

“I’ll see you later, Soran.”

“I’m just-“

“Goodbye,” I said.

I heard footsteps head towards me and then pause. “Just be careful.”

I crossed my arms and waited for the sound of the door shutting before turning around. I stepped up to the mirror one more time and slowly patted my dress. My dress. I smiled softly and did a little twirl.

I pulled out my paints from the box under the bead. I had practiced putting on make-up, but I wasn’t nearly as good as the girls who had attendants do it for them. My finger twitched as I brought a brush to my lips. I would become good enough, so good that I would never need an attendant.

I didn’t put too much makeup on. If I tried to, I often looked more like a clown than a princess. But a little bit here and there helped me see myself as I should. I looked at myself. My features softened yet brightened and sighed. Better, but not…

At least I had my snow-white curls that fell to the low of my back. I could find no fault with it. I tied a golden bow into my hair and smiled. I didn’t quite look like a princess. I wasn’t regal enough, but I almost looked…

Happy?

I looked at the projection of the great sundial and realized how long I had taken. Soran’s duel would happen soon.

Someone knocked on the door.

“Your majesty, I am here to escort you to the duel.”

I ran to the door and slammed it shut right as it opened slightly. My heart pounded in my ears.

I caught my trembling form in the mirror, somehow beautiful and terrifying, and looked away.

“I’m not ready,” I said.

“Your attendants are here-“

“I don’t need them,” I said louder than I needed to. “I’ll be five minutes.”

I ran over to the mirror, looked at myself one last time. Grabbing a towel and wiping it across my face, I ruined all of my hard work. I carefully undid the lace straps and pulled my dress off. I folded it tenderly and slid it into the space in between my mattress and my stand.

A tear slid down my cheek as I pulled on my trousers and jacket. I didn’t look at the person in the mirror. Instead, I threw the blanket over them and disappeared.

Next: Chapter Two