“…Due to the Princess’ involvement in this…conflict, it could easily be misconstrued as an attempt by the House of Briar-Rose to seize the domain of the Goldtree dynasty,” the Captain explained. “So we must take care to avoid such political implications…particularly, by NOT referring to this endeavor as an act of war.”

“…Ah,” said Pitch. “Well…I’ll try to remember that.”

The four were seated around the campfire that night, resting in preparation for the next day’s grand excursion. Pitch reclined against her travel bag, polishing her blades. Azor sat huddled in his coat, more bored than bitter at that point. Lucy bounced excitedly at the Captain’s side, waiting impatiently for a chance to tell her story.

“Okay, okay, okay!” she chirped. “N-now that the boring stuff is over, it’s my turn to talk! I have to tell you all about how I finally got to sleep!!”

“I’m very anxious to hear it,” Pitch replied.

“Alright! S-so here’s how it went: once upon a time last year, my birthday was coming up, and I decided that I wanted to make up the invitation list all by myself.”

“I figured I should invite all the important people I could think of: kings, queens, p-princes, and princesses from all different lands,” she began. “And powerful people, too…I invited w-wizards, and alchemists…and fairies…!

“But I accidentally invited Malefica: the evil fairy who put this curse on me in the first place! I never really meant to; I just didn’t recognize her name. And so the big day came and she showed up, and everyone was s-speechless. I think my mother almost fainted…

“But at the time I still didn’t get it yet, and I w-wasn’t sure what to do, so I brought her some wine and said hello. To kinda break the ice, y’know? C-can’t have all that awkwardness at my party...Anyway, we started talking— I told her about books and ponies, and sh-she told me about jinxes and turning people into toads— and I started to like her, and I think she started to like me, too.

“Later on she told me what she’d done to me, and all because my parents hadn’t invited her to my first birthday party: y-you know, when I was born. I did think it was a p-pretty silly reason to curse someone, but I guess I understood: I mean, when people wouldn’t invite me to their parties because they thought I was weird and crazy, it hurt m-my feelings too. So I decided to forgive her, at least a little.

“And in return for me inviting her and being friendly to her, she lifted the curse for the rest of the night. And just like that, I fell asleep— right in the middle of my birthday cake.”

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“…And you’ve been riding that high ever since,” said Pitch.

“I felt SO good when I woke up the next morning!” Lucy crowed. “I j-just can’t forget it…I h-have to make it last, even if it’s only in my imagination…! In fact, I was considering going to see Malefica myself to ask her to l-let me sleep again…but then your letter came, so…”

“Well, in that case: since you’re helping me with my troubles, once this is over, I will help you with yours,” Pitch said. “Whether you need a traveling companion when you go to find this fairy, or even if you just want me along for moral support, your wish is my command.”

“Aww…thank you, Margie~.” Lucy squeezed her special blankie enthusiastically. “You know, I think you’ve gotten nicer since the last time we were together. Just in general, you seem happier.”

Pitch rested her chin in her hands. “…Perhaps I am,” she said, smiling.

Later that night, Pitch was suddenly awakened by a tiny set of legs alighting on her nose.

She swatted the unseen insect away and sat up. It was a new moon night, and she found herself surrounded by darkness…the only visible objects in the area were the dying embers of the fire, and Azor’s amber-colored horns.

She got up and went over to him. “Azor…do you feel alright?” she asked.

“…You’re always asking me that same question,” he replied.

“Am I…?”

“You’ve asked it at least once every day this week. Do I look ill to you…?”

“Well…” she sat down beside him. “I suppose you do, in a way.”

Azor narrowed all three of his eyes, including the one on his tail. “And what ‘way’ could you possibly have to suppose that??” he asked.

“Oh, I know you don’t exactly have a…face, or anything, but there’s always body language, and…well, you seem a little less irritable than usual. We’ve been traveling for five full days, and you’ve hardly said an unkind word to me. Even being around Lucy didn’t seem to aggravate you nearly as much as I expected.”

“…This must be a joke.”

“Only partially~.”

She slid her fingers into his hand again, enjoying the warm, sandy feeling.

“I guess…I haven’t really seen you ‘happy’, but I’ve at least seen you ‘lively’, and usually when you’re lively you’re angry,” she said. “So when you just brood like this…well, I don’t know what to think.”

“…And besides, you still haven’t told me why you suddenly agreed to come on this trip,” she added.

“I said—”

“You said I would know eventually, yes…but that just bothers me even more. It’s not like you to be…mysterious.”

“Perhaps I will stop when you stop trying to pry into my private thoughts,” he said, turning to face her. “It’s as if you’re constantly trying to get me to tell you things, and to be perfectly honest, I no longer believe that it is solely for my benefit.”

“For whose, then? Mine…?”

“You tell me.”

Pitch smiled slightly. “Well…I suppose I do have a little fun, worrying about you. Asking you questions, and hearing you talk…and if you remember, we first became friends when I started to worry about you. So it is a bit…nostalgic.”

“That…is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”

“And that was very unkind.” She rested her head against his shoulder. “I’m glad you’re feeling better~.”