Meene

Meene: ♪
Zethia: What are you up to, Meene?
Meene: Eating berries and brushing my wings. Would you like some, Zethia?
Zethia: Oh, um, thank you. Er, but if I might ask you a strange question...?
Meene: By all means.
Zethia: Do all faeries enjoy berries?
Meene: Not that I am aware of. Why do you ask?
Zethia: Well, I have another faerie friend who loves them, so I was simply curious.
Meene: You don't say! Well then, you must be quite used to faeries by now.
Zethia: Sadly, she doesn't remember anything of her childhood or the Faerie Kingdom.
Zethia: So you are actually teaching me much when it comes to your ways.
Meene: There are few faeries in the human world. To face that and suffer from amnesia must have been a struggle indeed.
Zethia: I don't doubt it, but she always had a cheery smile. She is my dearest friend.
Meene: Heh. I'm certain you were the cause of many of those smiles.
Meene: ...There, that should keep my wings in order for now. Spick-and-span and not a scale out of place!
Zethia: They're beautiful. I love how they sparkle.
Meene: Well, aren't you sweet! Wings are terribly important to my kind, you know.
Meene: They serve as proof of what we are— we can't even enter the Faerie Kingdom without them.
Zethia: Truly?!
Meene: True and truer still. We spoke before about how we faeries hit a temporary growth spurt when we reach maturity, yes?
Meene: Normally, we return to the way we were with time, but if our wings are broken, we lose the ability to change size.
Zethia: Meaning you can't become small again?
Meene: That's right. And sadly, only small faeries are permitted to live in the kingdom.
Meene: Losing our wings effectively makes a faerie an exile, so you can see why we all hold them so dear.
Meene: Still, there are some who choose to part with their wings willingly.
Zethia: But...why?
Meene: Usually it involves a faerie who leaves the kingdom and falls in love with a human or that sort of thing.
Meene: I suppose whatever they found outside is worth casting home and family aside.
Meene: I would never have such courage...
Zethia: And what of faeries who enter the human world while their bodies are yet small?
Meene: Hmm... I don't think I've ever heard of one. Why do you ask this?
Zethia: ...Because my friend did so.
Meene: Amnesia AND a small body? My word...
Meene: Whoever this faerie is, she's clearly quite the exceptional case.
Meene: Faeries are sticklers for tradition by nature, and we simply ADORE our little rules. To break with them like that is...
Zethia: Oh, Notte...
Meene: Oh, listen to me. I've worried you. Come here, you poor dear.
Zethia: Hmm?
Meene: There, there! *huuuug*
Zethia: Eh?! Er, Meene...?!
Meene: I'm sorry. Have I upset you?
Zethia: No, not upset! It was just a bit... Well, embarrassing, perhaps.
Meene: Hee hee! Well, it certainly took the gloomy expression from your face. I used to do that for Ilia all the time, you know?
Meene: Sadly, she doesn't permit me such pleasures now that she's grown.
Zethia: So you decided to raise her even knowing you would have to part eventually?
Zethia: How did you arrive at such a decision?
Meene: I suppose it was the first time I found a meaning to my life. I felt...needed.
Zethia: How so, exactly?
Meene: Ah, now THERE is a story! Sit down and get comfortable, dear, and I will tell you all about the night I first met Ilia...

Meene: I will never forget the night I first left the Faerie Kingdom.
Meene: I was so skittish, I took a couple of steps into the surrounding forest and...stopped.

Meene: *sniff* Well, great. Now I've dallied so long that night has fallen.
Meene: (It would be dangerous to set out in search of a town now, so perhaps it's best to find a safe spot to bed down for the evening.)
Meene: EEEK!
Meene: Oh, it's just a bunny... Your cottony tush nearly gave me heart failure, Mr. Bunny!
Meene: (Oh, but I hate this. Why DO we have this stupid tradition of going out into the human world, anyway?)
Meene: (I can't do this; I lack both the bravery and talent of my siblings.)
Meene: (I'm just the timid baby of the family, and I'm going to end the night in some forest critter's stomach!)
Meene: I've barely ever left the palace, let alone the kingdom. It's hopeless!
Meene: EEEAGH! Wh-what is THAT?!
 ???: Waaah! Waaaah!
Meene: Is that a baby? But why would...?

???: Waaah!
Meene: (Why is there a baby crying in the woods at night?)
Meene: (I'm frightened...but also worried.)
Meene: Eeep!
Blood-Covered Woman: He...lp...
Meene: Wh-what happened? Oh, you're hurt!
Blood-Covered Woman: The child... Take...my Ilia...
Meene: Then the baby I heard is your daughter? Who has done this thing to you?!
Blood-Covered Woman: ......
Meene: She's not breathing... No! This can't be happening!
Man's Voice: Didja find 'er?!
Man's Voice: Not yet, but I know she's in these woods!
Meene: (Are those men chasing her?)
Baby: WAAAH! WAAAAH!
Man's Voice: Oy! I 'ear a baby!
Meene: They're coming this way!
Meene: I've got to get out of here!

Meene: That light... Is it dawn already?
Meene: (It seems her foul pursuers have given up the chase.)
Meene: I guess they didn't expect a baby to fly off into the treetops.
Baby: Wah?
Meene: Oh! I'm sorry, little one! I didn't mean to wake you.
Baby: Waaah! WAAAAAAH!
Meene: Oh dear. What's wrong? Are you hungry?
Meene: What do human babies even eat? Was that woman your mother? Where is your father?
Baby: Waaah!
Meene: Oh, please do stop crying!
Meene: (This child is even weaker than I am; she won't live out the day if I abandon her.)
Meene: (I may not be special—and I may be a coward—but I have to get it together.)
Meene: Easy there, little Ilia. I've got you.
Meene: I traveled from town to town in search of her father, but he never turned up, so—
Zethia: Er, might we back up a moment? This is rather a lot to process.
Zethia: If I may, how old ARE you, Meene? You don't seem much older than myself.
Meene: Hee hee! That's a secret. But I'll let you know that we faeries live much longer lives than your kind—and look younger.
Zethia: I suppose so. Now then, did I mishear, or did you say you lived in a palace?
Meene: Correct. I am a princess.
Zethia: Oh! I...I see.
Meene: The youngest of thirteen, though. Oh, and we hide our status while out in the world, so it doesn't confer any perks.
Zethia: That's still rather remarkable.
Meene: The whole point of our time in the human realm is to learn more about the world without the benefit of status.
Meene: Now, I certainly didn't mean to spend my time there raising a child, but I'm still very glad that I met Ilia.
Meene: To be honest, I'd always felt inferior to my older siblings; I was weak, shy, and so terribly afraid of everything.
Meene: But raising her changed all that, and I rather like the faerie I've become.
Zethia: A love that crosses the bounds of race...
Meene: Indeed. In these days, humans and dragons are locked in war, and we faeries have taken the side of the dragons.
Meene: The origins of our kind lie with them, after all, and we still share a deep bond.
Zethia: I remember hearing that dragons and faeries were distant relatives.
Meene: That's right. So, strictly speaking, faeries and humankind should be enemies.
Meene: But my love for Ilia makes all that quite meaningless.
Meene: It is unshakable—and it always will be.

Meene: ......
Ilia: ...Again?
Mordecai: What's wrong, Ilia?
Ilia: Meene is always going out lately and she never tells me where.
Mordecai: Is that a problem?
Ilia: Well, no...but I'm still curious!
Ilia: She's never really been into secrets and stuff before, you know?
Mordecai: If it weighs on your mind, why not ask her?
Ilia: Yeah, but what if it's...you know? Delicate. Like a boyfriend or something.
Mordecai: Is THAT a problem?
Ilia: Look, there's no dang problem! It's just a mother-daughter sort of thing, okay?! It's weird to talk about this stuff with her!
Mordecai: Then I suppose you will need to find out some other way.
Ilia: Ugh. The more I talk about this, the more it's starting to bug me.
Ilia: Let's follow her. C'mon, Mordecai!

Mordecai: That's...a dragon!
Ilia: Yeah, but that one's okay. Now hush up so I can make with the peeping.
Mordecai: But aren't dragons the enemy?
Ilia: To you and humans, maybe, but Meene's a faerie. Now please! Hush already!
Mordecai: If you say so...
Midgardsormr Zero: A seat has been readied for you; your father said as much.
Meene: A lovely, yet hollow gesture. I'm sure there isn't a single task of import he would entrust to his failed youngest.
Midgardsormr Zero: While it is fact that your brothers and sisters are talented, I see no cause to denigrate yourself so.
Meene: You're right. Here I fancy myself as a changed faerie, but I slip right back into old habits. It's simply terrible.
Meene: I wonder if I'll stop being myself if I return?
Midgardsormr Zero: Are you wavering?
Meene: No. Not going back was never an option for me.
Meene: Soon, I'll have no choice but to return to the Faerie Kingdom.
Ilia: ...Let's go, Mordecai.
Mordecai: Ilia?

Mordecai: Will Meene really return to the Faerie Kingdom?
Ilia: No question about it.
Mordecai: Did you know about this?
Ilia: I never heard it from her in as many words, but I learned enough to see the writing on the wall some time ago.
Ilia: Apparently faeries of a certain age grow in size for a time.
Ilia: They use those years to learn about the outside world, then head back home once they're ready to shrink down again.
Ilia: Once they do, that's that—they never set foot outside their kingdom again.
Mordecai: So once Meene leaves...
Ilia: Yeah. We won't ever see her again.
Mordecai: Are you okay with that?
Ilia: If I'm honest, it doesn't feel real. She's been there since... Well, forever.
Ilia: I can't really imagine what it'd be like if she just...wasn't, you know?
Ilia: I knew the day would come, but I tried not to think about it and kept putting it off...
Mordecai: And what about now?
Ilia: Now I finally have to face it—but at least I already know what I need to do.
Mordecai: And what is that?
Ilia: I've got to grow up—and fast. Enough to be all right on my own.
Ilia: I can't have Meene worrying about me after she leaves.

Zethia: Ilia still isn't back. Do you think something might have happened to her?
Meene: Why in the world would she travel to the capital now, of all times? Why didn't you stop her, Mordecai?
Mordecai: It was in her own best interest— and in yours, Meene.
Meene: What is THAT supposed to mean?
Ilia: I'm baaack!
Meene: And where have you been, young lady?!
Ilia: Just to the capital and back.
Meene: Whyever FOR?!
Ilia: Negotiating sales of a new invention! I'm working on developing some new distribution routes.
Meene: But why NOW? You know the army is busy looking for you.
Meene: Was it something you really had to do in the middle of all this danger? Because it sure doesn't sound like it.
Ilia: No. It had to be now.
Meene: Why? What could possibly be more important than your LIFE?
Ilia: I'm not saying that! I'm just...
Meene: No buts, young lady. You have to learn to take proper care of yours—
Ilia: I'M FINE, OKAY?! You can stop worrying about me all the freaking time!
Ilia: I'm not a little girl anymore!
Meene: Ilia...?
Ilia: Sorry, I'm... Look, I'm going to bed.
Meene: *sigh* It's never easy. Sorry about that.
Zethia: That's all right. But are YOU well?
Meene: Truthfully, I'm a bit shocked. We've never really fought before.
Meene: She's right, though: She's a wonderful, mature woman now, and I need to learn to let go of my baby girl.
Meene: I'm going to step out for some air. You two go ahead and sleep.
Mordecai: They love each other so much, yet they still manage to hurt one another... Love is a tricky thing indeed.
Zethia: Letting go is never easy.
Mordecai: There are as many forms of love as there are people, so what do you suppose Meene will choose in the end?
Zethia: I don't know. But whatever it is, I hope it's a choice neither she nor Ilia will regret.

Meene: When I met Ilia, she was all alone— just a tiny, fragile thing.
Meene: But in a way, I was as well—and meeting her helped me to learn who I was and grow stronger as a result.

Meene: And while she means everything to me, I fear the opposite is no longer true.
Meene: She's met her own special someone and found a love across the boundaries of race, just as I did with her.
Meene: Knowing that, I should...
Meene: I'm going home. Will you tell my father?
Meene: I'll take on whatever role he has for me and find a way to be of use.
Midgardsormr Zero: And what of Ilia?
Meene: What of her? It was always a given that we would have to part ways eventually. It's not something either of us can change.
Meene: Besides, she's all grown-up. Even normal parents send their children off eventually.
Meene: So it's time I grew up as well. I need to let her go.

Zethia: Ilia's out late again...
Meene: She's...she's fine. I'm certain of it. She's a grown woman, after all.
Zethia: You say that, but I know you are worried almost to the point of illness.
Meene: I have to trust her. What kind of mother would I be if I refused to let her go?
Mordecai: You can trust in her and still worry. She's important to you.
Zethia: Mordecai's right. Take a long, hard look at your feelings and come up with an answer that feels right.
Zethia: There's no set rule for what you "have" to do. You and Ilia should find the answer that's right for the two of you.
Meene: ......
Mordecai: I'm going out to look for her. What will you do, Meene?
Meene: ...I'm coming with you.
Zethia: We'll all go together!

Ilia: (Damn. I let my guard down because it was a merchant I've dealt with for years.)
Ilia: (That rat took one look at the bounty on my head and sold me out to the army!)
Ilia: *huff* *pant*
Ilia: (I've shaken some of them, but there are still plenty on my tail... This isn't good.)
 ???: Ilia! This way!
Ilia: Guys?!
Soldier: Hey! That's the thing from the other world!
Soldier: Grab it along with the alchemist!
Ilia: Why did you come here?!
Mordecai: Because we were worried about you.
Mordecai: I'll hold them here.
Ilia: But...
Mordecai: I'll make it back to you. You trust me, yes?
Ilia: Yes, Mordecai. I trust you.
Zethia: Let's go! Quickly!

Zethia: *pant* *heave*
Ilia: We've been running forever!
Meene: I don't think anyone's still following us, thanks to Mordecai. We're probably safe to walk for a—
Ilia: Ah!
Ilia: (The ground's giving way!)
Meene: ILIA!

Zethia: Ilia! Meene!

Ilia: ...Ow.
Ilia: That was a heck of a fall. Sort of a miracle I'm still in one piece.
Meene: Thank goodness...
Ilia: Meene! You broke my fall!
Ilia: AUGH! YOUR WING IS BENT!
Meene: Yes, it happened when I fell.
Ilia: Don't be so chill about this! What do we DO?!
Meene: We wait. It isn't broken, which means it will heal up in time.
Ilia: But wings are everything to a faerie!
Meene: Just let me hold you, child. I'm only glad you're safe.
Ilia: What?
Meene: I don't care about my wings—the only thought in my head was keeping you safe.
Ilia: You would sacrifice yourself for me after the terrible things I said to you?
Meene: I'm your mother, silly. Faerie, human, arguments—none of that matters.
Meene: And though the "right" answer may be elusive, seeing my wings in this condition makes one thing very clear...
Meene: You are the most precious thing in the world to me, Ilia, and I love you.
Ilia: Aw, Mom...
Ilia: I'm so sorry for all the trouble I've caused. I just wanted to become independent so that you could go back home.
Ilia: I thought if I did more work and made extra money, you wouldn't have to worry as much about me.
Ilia: But I only made you worry MORE and then this happened and... Well, I'm sorry.
Meene: I need to apologize to you as well; I was still treating you like a child.
Meene: I should have been your biggest believer, but instead I pushed my own worries on to you and tried to keep you under my guard.
Meene: I'm sorry you got saddled with such a clingy mother.
Ilia: ...We haven't exactly been making things easy on one another, huh?
Ilia: But you deserve a better daughter, and I know you want to be the best mother you can be, so we've got to get it together.
Meene: I got so caught up in what the right thing to do was, I forgot to consider your feelings OR my own! What a fool I was.
Ilia: ...Hey, Mom? Thanks for raising me all these years.
Ilia: Don't worry about me. Choose whatever is right for you so that you don't regret it.
Meene: I believe in you, child, and will support you now and always.
Mordecai: Iliaaa!
Zethia: Meeeeene!
Ilia: It's Zethia and Mordecai! Over heeere!
Meene: (I thought I'd grown stronger, but I'm still so weak. It seems I was just dependent on Ilia this whole time.)
Meene: (I need to become capable of living my life even without her.)
Meene: (That is the shape of my love: The right answer for both of us.)

Meene: May I ask you a strange question, Zethia?
Zethia: What is it?
Meene: What is it like for a human to be in love?
Zethia: Er, why do you ask this?
Meene: My apologies. I know speaking of romance can be rather awkward for some.
Zethia: No, it's not that—I'm simply curious why you are asking about humans.
Meene: I was struck with a curiosity to learn more about them, I suppose.
Meene: I'm sure I've told you that we faeries come to the human world to learn of what life is like outside our kingdom, yes?
Meene: Well, I've been so caught up in raising Ilia that I never had time to study anything past keeping a human child in one piece.
Meene: I'm afraid that has given me tunnel vision. If I want to be able to offer her support, I need to keep learning.
Meene: In the years to come, Ilia will forge relationships with all manner of people, just as she has with you and Mordecai.
Meene: I don't want to stand in her way out of ignorance; I want to learn and help her.
Zethia: You sound like you've made peace with something.
Meene: You're the one who told me to face my own feelings and find the right solution for us, and you were absolutely correct.
Meene: I'd used tradition and my royal birth as a kind of excuse to avoid thinking about how I really felt.
Meene: I never thought for myself because following rules was so much easier.
Meene: But I can't do that anymore. I have someone I love dearly now.
Meene: Even when it's hard, I need to think for myself. To find my own answers. My own choices that I won't regret.

Meene: So I can't decide just yet.
Meene: I know full well I could wake up tomorrow faerie sized once more.
Meene: And I still can't say what will be the most important thing to me when that happens.
Meene: But whatever I choose, I want to know that I won't regret it, which means taking the time to introspect now.
Meene: I'm not using rules and traditions as an excuse any longer. I'm going to make up my mind and live with my decisions.
Midgardsormr Zero: ...I see.
Meene: You're not upset? I thought you might be.
Midgardsormr Zero: If anything, I find the sentiment rather commendable.
Meene: Come again?
Midgardsormr Zero: It's true: You were a timorous little thing, following along after your brothers and sisters like a lost pup. But look at you now.
Midgardsormr Zero: You've grown strong, Meene.
Meene: You know what? I did. And small wonder...
Meene: Because I became a mom.