002 [The Girl in the Ashes]

[onperfectlips.livejournal.com]

[Although fairy tales were common enough in Camelot, the tale of Cinderella - the beautiful and kind orphan who was forced into servitude by her wicked stepmother - had yet to reach the shores of Albion. When Guinevere woke up in the ashes of the kitchen fire, she did so without knowing the nature of the role that she'd been forced into.

Not that it mattered. Until she returned to the Plane, she had been under the impression that she truly was Cinderella. She had toiled for many years without ever losing her good heart and, that morning, she did the same without complaint. (Besides, who did a girl like of her status have to complain to? She was entirely alone in the world.)

Gwen - dressed in soot stained rags and scrubbing at a patch of stone floor that joined her on the Plane - looked up from her bucket of soapy water as her memories returned to her in a rush.]

Oh.

... what happened? I'm the Lady Morgana's servant. I don't have a stepmother!

Do I?

[Her father had never considered remarrying after her mother's death. He certainly wouldn't have chosen a wife that would treat his beloved daughter so poorly.]

Comments

[lamb_of_gold]

I did not expect to wake up with a dress, wings and a magic wand, and yet here I am.

[onperfectlips.livejournal.com]

I don't think anyone would expect that!

I wonder what this experiment is supposed to achieve.

[lamb_of_gold]

If I can wake up like this, then you can attend that ball of yours.

I'd also like to know the answer to that.

[onperfectlips.livejournal.com]

You didn't have a stepmother trying to stop you.

[lamb_of_gold]

But I do have this [Pulls out his magic wand] and I do feel compelled to help you.

[onperfectlips.livejournal.com]

Is that ... what is that? A magic wand?

[lamb_of_gold]

It would seem so. I seem to be able to alter the forms of things for a limited time - six, perhaps eight hours at the most.

[onperfectlips.livejournal.com]

Could it make me into a lady instead of a servant? The ball won't last for more than a few hours.

[lamb_of_gold]

There's only one way to find out.

[Mu furrows his brow slightly, points his wand at Gwen and flicks it. With a little dash of fairy dust and sparkles, her hair seems to do itself into a style that would be the envy of most young women at a ball.]

A good start, I think.

[onperfectlips.livejournal.com]

[Gwen gasped, staring in delighted surprise at her reflection in the bucket. It wasn't the sort of style that they would have worn in Camelot, but it was certainly beautiful and fitted in with the fashions of her new life as Cinderella.]

It's wonderful. Thank you!

[lamb_of_gold]

[Another flick of the wand, and her dress begins to shimmer and change, and some jewelry appears to match. When it's done, Mu steps back and tilts his head to inspect.]

How's that? I'm afraid I'm not well-versed in fashion.

[onperfectlips.livejournal.com]

It's beautiful. [Her tone - one of delight and awe - was an answer in itself.] I don't know how to thank you for this ...

[lamb_of_gold]

Thank me by not wasting this opportunity.

[onperfectlips.livejournal.com]

I won't, I promise.

[And now she is going to run forward and give Mu a hug. Because she simply can't help it.]

Thank you.

[lamb_of_gold]

[The reciprocating hug is slow and awkward, but it's there.]

Off you go now. Enjoy your evening.

[onperfectlips.livejournal.com]

I will!

[She let go of him at last, still beaming, then disappeared from the Plane.]