Damsels in Distress (see also, DID)
A Damsel in Distress–hereafter to be referred to as a DID–can mean any number of things depending on who one asks. A stepmother, for instance, will answer that a DID is a perfectly acceptable role for her new stepdaughter as it will indicate that said daughter has learned her place. Ask a hero, and he will tell you that a DID is someone who likely has half a kingdom to her name must be rescued despite certain obstacles that wish to interfere with Fate. But to fairy godmothers, DIDs represent the culmination of what it means to be a fairy godmother. Simply put, a DID is a Deserving Young Lady of Quality in need of magical assistance usually in regard to gowns, balls, and princes. DIDs are generally pretty, sweet, and poor time keepers. They usually have an affinity with animals, birds, and getting lost. A DID must be handled with care as most have someone who wants to do them in–or at least prevent them from attaining their Happily Ever After. Without DIDs, fairy godmothers could not fulfill the purpose of their existence.
Happily Ever After (see also, HEA)
A Happily Ever After is that nebulous state of affair in which the DID in question passes from her fairy godmother’s care to that of her own True Love’s. True Love’s Kiss has been attained, although sunsets, white chargers, and perfect hair are not guaranteed conditions of a HEA. Generally, in order to gain a HEA, all threats of evil (usually Stepmothers and Stepsisters, but can also include dragons, ogres, trolls, and neighboring wicked kings) are vanquished, old wrongs put right, and everything is just peachy.
Until the christening of their first child.
Wand, fairy godmother
The wand is the fairy godmother’s greatest weapon asset. It is the focal point of her power that allows her to gather enough magic together to grant the wishes of many young DIDs. With it, a fairy godmother has the power to turn back time, change the nature of things, and generally make the impossible possible. (And if she’s in certain quandaries, if the wand is of the right shape–pointed–it can be used to make it very clear that fairy godmothers are not to be crossed.) All of this is temporary, however, usually lasting only until the clock strikes midnight. After that, all bets are off.
Fire Salamanders (lisotritan inferno starched collarus)
Fire salamanders are of the fire family in the magical bestiary. They are born when a drop of sun combines with a drop of molten rock from the earth. the sun and molten rock work to form an egg. It can take anywhere from a year to a thousand for the conditions to be favorable enough for the fire salamander to hatch–usually the hotter the better. By their very nature, they are both lizard and fire, looking a lot like a salamander that’s been set on fire. Their fire, however, can be harmless, and is only used as a protective measure if they feel they are in danger.
As they are part fire, their preferred method of travel is going from one point of fire to the next. They can also, if they are powerful, travel to places where fire is expected, but not yet a reality. Ex: an unlit candle. Due to their philosophical and longwinded personalities, they frequently rise through the ranks and tend to serve magical nobility. They are loyal and true and can be very obsessive over things that pique their interest.
Enchanted Cats (magikus felinius irritatus)
Cats that can walk and talk and dress like mortals tend to be of the enchanted variety. Usually they either began life as a mortal or have, for whatever reason, slipped on a cat skin. Enchanted cats usually have a temperament that suits the skin. They tend to be smug, superior, and powerful. They are not above using their teeth and claws–usually sharper and more plentiful than the non-enchanted variety–to press their point. Very little is known about them as a whole, but history has proven over and over that it is a bad idea to cross such a cat. If you must have bad luck, breaking a mirror, insulting a king, or stealing from a dragon is preferable to annoying an enchanted cat.
© 2011 by Danyelle Leafty. All rights reserved.