Izzy skipped down the hall and into their room. With an excited twirl, Izzy crossed their room, lifted their mattress, and pulled out their secret pants. It was a rare occasion that they could wear their pants anywhere in the house. As much as they loved their room, the most comfortable place to read has always been and will always be in the library.
Pants donned and corset off, Izzy bounced down the stairs book in the hand. With a smile on their face, they crossed through the foyer to the library. As they opened the intricate double doors, a flash of light came from the entry windows. Izzy turned to look as a sharp rap sounded.
Who could that possibly be, Izzy thought. I’m not expecting anyone and everyone knows everyone else went to the ball. I’ll just ignore whoever that is.
Izzy turned back towards the library as the mystery person knocked once more.
“Izzy! I know you’re in there. You don’t know me, but this is really important!”
Izzy stopped, curiosity piqued and waited to see if the stranger with the musical voice would say anything more.
“My name is Lara. I promised someone I would make sure that you attended the ball tonight. No, it wasn’t your step mother. Just, please open the door.”
Izzy threw their shoulders back and sighed. They were so tired of hearing about this stupid ball.
“I’m just going to keep knocking until you let me in. I’m over 500 years old. I have a lot of patience.”
Over 500 years old? Only fairies live that long, Izzy thought. Well, if curiosity is ever going to kill the cat, finding out if there’s really a fairy at the door is the time.
Izzy opened the large door just a crack to see the woman standing on their stoop. Their eyes widened when they saw a beautiful woman with pale green skin, long pointy ears, and large, green eyes with oval pupils. She wore a slim fitting dress that apeared to be made out of very large leaves and tulip petals. Beautiful petal shaped, iridescent wings fluttered in the light afternoon breeze. She had her arms crossed and was tapping a shiny, pointed, blue fingernail on her forearm. Her eyes lazily moved from the large slate knocker over to where Izzy’s face was poking through the opening, mouth slack.
“Hello there, dear,” the fairy smiled. “Will you let me in? I have something of the utmost importance to discuss with you.”
Izzy, speechless, just nodded and opened the door, allowing Lara to enter the small foyer. With a grin, Lara slowly spun, taking in the hexagonal room. Spotting the large mirror at the bottom of the staircase, she squealed and clapped her hands.
“Oh, this is the perfect place! We won’t have to go anywhere for the spell to work,” Lara cheered.
“I didn’t agree to any spell,” Izzy said, finally finding her voice again. “I only let you in because seeing a fairy is a once in a lifetime experience. I’m still not going to any ball.”
“Well, you can always see more fairies if you just know where to look,” Lara replied, ignoring Izzy’s refusal. “Now, let’s get started, shall we?”
“No, we shall not,” Izzy firmly replied. “You will tell me what exactly you are doing here and who sent you. I believe you that it was not Chandra, as she would not have been able to keep seeing a fairy a secret, let alone speaking with one.”
“Oh, I’m here by request of a royal family member!”
“That could be anyone at the ball. Be more specific.”
“I don’t think I will,” Lara twittered. “But I will tell you what I promised him.”
Izzy leaned against a wall, waiting for the fairy to continue. Once Lara realized that Izzy would not pry on their own, she rolled her eyes and continued.
“I am here at the request of a certain young nobleman to make sure you, Isabella Chapman, make an appearance at this evening’s ball.”
“Well, you’re just going to have to disappoint this young nobleman. I intend to stay home, wear my pants, and read a book. No ball could top that.”
“What if I told you that you can still wear pants and go to the ball? I’ll even make sure your carriage is lit so you can read on the way there.”
Izzy was taken aback that someone would actually suggest they were pants to a ball.
“What do you mean I can still wear pants,” Izzy tentatively asked.
“Well, I was pretty sure that you would not agree with whatever your stepmother picked, and I was correct judging by the argument earlier.” Izzy was not particularly pleased to hear that this fairy had been eavesdropping, but did not interrupt. “So, I spent the last couple weeks designing an outfit just for you. So if you’ll just stand here in the center of the foyer, we can get you ready to go!”
“Hold up,” Izzy said, raising their hands. “I appreciate the effort you’ve put into this, but I am not going.”
“I’m sure we can figure something out,” Lara said flippantly.
“No! There’s no figuring things out! I’m not going to this ball! Why would I do that if I could read my book here, by myself, instead?”
“Okay, okay.” Lara held her hands up in defeat. “Let’s make a deal. Let me show you what I’ve got for you. If you absolutely hate it, I will leave you alone. If you love it, you’ll go to the ball for just a short time. Will that work?”
Izzy sighed. “Fine. I guess I’ll see what you’ve done. But don’t get your hopes up!”
The fairy squealed and clapped her hands. She grabbed Izzy’s wrists and pulled her into the center of the foyer. Once Lara was certain Izzy was exactly in the middle of the room, she placed her hands on Izzy’s shoulders and spun her around. Izzy was grateful they weren’t wearing any shoes or they would have fallen!
“Hmmm, yes, we’re almost ready,” Lara muttered. She reached up to pull the tie out of Izzy’s hair. Instinctively, they reached up to control the incoming poof. Their hands were quickly swatted back down to their sides.
“Yes, perfect. Stand just like that.”
Lara reached in between the layers of petals and leaves in her dress and pulled out a light brown, knotted stick that tapered towards the top with intricate carvings forming a handle at the base. With a flick and a shot of light, a large, leather book poofed into being and gently fell open into Lara’s outstretched hands.
Lara took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Loosely holding her wand, she began to trace small circles in the air. Blue, pink, white, and black sparkles floated out of the tip, up into the air, and began to spiral down around Izzy, who stood with wide eyes, taking in her only chance at witnessing such beautiful magic. Once Izzy was completely surrounded with sparkles, Lara began to chant.
Et in hoc habitu vestis creare ex adipe
Fibrae in telas exquisite
Forma naturali lumine vultus pingere
Tame ad caput et faciem ipsa compegi
Coronas habebitis in medio eorum in gloria
Statuto tempore vultus quod durabit usque ad
Et tegendis corporibus eligere,
Ut sibi patriaeque diffeidere
Lara finished her chant and the spiraling sparkles zoomed in to surround Izzy in a blinding light. They closed their eyes tight. They felt a tingle and then a weight on the top of their head.
“Open your eyes, Izzy,” Lara cooed.
Izzy opened their eyes and looked over to the full length mirror. After the initial shock of their appearance wore off, they made their way closer to the mirror while reaching up to feel their hair.
Their once long, wild hair was now cut close to their head on the sides. Short, controlled curls feel from the top of their head to one side. A gold tiara with intricate swirl details sat delicately on top of their head. Gold earrings made of delicate, long chains perfectly complemented the tiara and framed Izzy’s angular face. Light makeup highlighted Izzy’s features without distracting from their natural glow.
Izzy was not sure what they’d expected their outfit to look like, but this far exceeded anything they could have thought up. They now wore a pale pink, silk shirt that buttoned up to their collar bone with a gentle scooped neckline with a rolled collar. The sleeves were slightly gathered at the shoulders and opened up into long trains at the elbow.
A white cravat with fine lace detailing was loosely tied under the collar with the ends neatly tucked into a navy blue, floor length, double breasted wool vest with a gentle sweep train. Navy blue, silk lapels curved perfectly around Izzy’s bust.
The front of the vest draped open to reveal fitted, white brocade pants tucked into knee high, black, lace up leather boots. Izzy lifted the heel of their foot and twisted it to the side to confirm that the boots were flat, with the soles of men’s hunting boots.
Izzy covered their face with their hands.
“I love it,” they whispered.
Lara replied with a smirk.
“So I take it we have a deal,” she said as Izzy furiously nodded. “Well, it’s currently just before supper time. When would you like to have an excuse to leave?”
“I think I can stand the ball until midnight,” Izzy replied. They didn’t want to take their end of the deal lightly.
“Wonderful,” Lara replied with a flick of her wand. Gold sparks sputtered out the end and quickly disappeared. “Your clothes will transform back exactly at midnight. Now, there’s a coach outside waiting for you. Off you go.”
“Thank you for these magnificent clothes,” Izzy said with a small curtsy. “I won’t disappoint you.”
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